ROYAL CITY – The Royal City Knights tennis team had success at the South Central Athletic Conference Qualifying tournament, with multiple players punching their tickets to play in the district tournament today. The top nine players in each category move on to the district tournament. 

“I thought subdistricts went really well,” said Knights head coach Rodrigo Fajardo. “Our boys and girls competed at a high level.” 

The Knights’ first girls doubles team of Madi Christensen and Cambelle Anderson earned the title of subdistrict champions. 

“It was tough competition,” said Fajardo. “There were 27 girls doubles teams, and we took the number one spot, which is great.” 

Number one singles Lauren Allred placed fourth in the tournament, number three girls doubles, Tania Verduzco and Heaven Parker, placed fifth, and number two girls doubles with Haidyn Sutor and Madyn Smith placed sixth, earning each of them a spot at the district tournament. The number two and three girls doubles teams had to play each other for the fifth-place spot at the tournament. 

“I couldn’t coach, I had to let them play it out and get after it,” said Fajardo. 

On the boys' side, Royal's number two singles Cael Orth advanced to districts by earning sixth place at the tournament. The No. 1 boys doubles team of KJ Greenfield and Major Andra earned sixth place and the No. 2 boys doubles team with Dennis Hernandez and William Garcia earned seventh, sending both of those teams to districts as well. 

Fajardo said the Knights now have their focus on the district tournament happening today and Saturday as they make a push to move on to the state tournament.  

“We’re trying to punch our ticket into state, so it should be interesting how that all falls into place,” he said.  

The team’s main goal as they move forward is to stay sharp and not overdo anything while playing, Fajardo said. Maintaining their focus and energy use will be key as they move into districts where they are going to be playing in longer matches. 

For the qualifiers, the Knights had to play both Saturday and Monday, leaving only a day of rest in between matches. During Monday’s tournament, the team started at noon and had matches last until around 8 p.m. 

“You’re asking the players to really dig deep and grind it out,” said Fajardo. “So really just making sure we’re sharp and also that we’re rested in the body so we’re able to compete at a higher level in Districts.” 

The Knights will be on the road at Connell High School for Districts, with day one starting today at noon and will continue with day two happening this Saturday at noon. 

    Knights coach Rodrigo Fajardo stands with Madi Christensen, left, and Campbelle Anderson, right, after the two become SCAC subdistrict champs in girls' doubles.
  

    Playing second boys singles, Cael Orth went on to earn sixth in qualifiers earning him a spot at the district tournament.
  

    Lauren Allred earned fourth place in the qualifying tournament as the first singles player and will move on to the district tournament.
  

    Knights’ Dennis Hernandez partnered up with William Garcia for the boys second doubles team placing seventh in the tournament and will move on to districts.
  

    Knights’ first boys doubles team of KJ Greenfield and Major Andra will be moving on to the district tournament after earning sixth place in the qualifiers.