ROYAL CITY — After a tough battle through the 1A District 5 tournament, Cael Orth from the Royal Knights qualified for the state tournament. The Knights competed hard throughout the season and as a team made a deep push into the district tournament. 

“I think districts went well,” said Knights Head Coach Rodrigo Fajardo. “Just making it to day two and day three, it’s already hard as it is and the ultimate goal is to try to punch a ticket to state.” 

By the final rounds, Royal had sent 13 of their 16 varsity tennis players to the third day of the district tournament. Unfortunately, by the end of that third day, many of the Knights had fallen short and were eliminated from the competition.

Orth, Royal’s first boys singles, kept the Knights tennis season alive as he battled up the district bracket and made his way all the way into the district championship game. There he played against Cashmere’s Albin Eskew, but fell just short in the championships. 

After taking second in districts, Orth earned a spot on the state bracket.  

“I was just excited for Cael Orth to be able to punch his ticket and go to state,” said Fajardo. 

The coach said this was a great developmental season for Orth, as he has only been with the sport for a year and a half before making his first state appearance.  

“He accomplished so much in just a year and a half,” said Fajardo. “Most state qualifiers have been playing for many years, to reach this level, and for him to do it in a year and a half says a lot about his work ethic, his competitiveness and his willingness to learn and get better every day.” 

He said while Orth is relatively new to tennis, he has been around sports for his whole life and that has brought drive into how he competes. Most notably Orth is a long-time wrestler competing from the time he was young until joining the Knights wrestling team where he has been a state placer for the past two seasons.  

Wrestling being a one-on-one sport is something that Fajardo said likely helped Orth transition well into tennis as the two sports rely almost entirely on personal improvement. 

After coming into the tennis state tournament last season as an alternate, Orth is entering with a little bit of experience, but the main focus will be on improving where he can in time for state competition.  

“Let’s see what we can do at state; let’s see if we can try to get a win and just really enjoy the experience when we’re there,” said Fajardo. “We get to see some high-level tennis and just enjoy the moment while you’re there. I think that’s a big thing is, yes, do your best and compete, but enjoy the moment as well.” 

Orth and the Knights are heading to Yakima Tennis Club to compete in the opening round of the state tennis tournament Friday, with Orth’s first match beginning at 11 a.m.