SOUTHERN REGION: Brazell, Mustangs return to top

Taler Brazell hasn’t forgotten what winning a state championship feels like.

Even though it was two years ago that The Meadows girls tennis team captured the crown, Brazell is bound and determined to rekindle that same feeling her senior season.

“There’s four of us (seniors) that won state,” Brazell said. “We have that taste in our mouth. We know we want to get there. Last year, we lost in regionals and we knew this was our final year and that we had to get back on top.”

Consider the first major hurdle vaulted.

The Mustangs captured the Division I-A Southern Region title in a 13-5 rout over Faith Lutheran on Friday at Darling Tennis Center. The Meadows (15-1) swept all six of its opening-round matches and won five of the six matches in the second round to clinch the victory.

“It’s a great feeling,” Brazell said. “Especially for our team, they have been working very hard.

Everybody’s been pulling their weight and trying to stay positive. It’s just a fun atmosphere to be out here with a great group of girls.”

The doubles teams of Taler Brazell and Samantha Gondy, and Amanda Brazell and Ava Frazier, each went 2-0. Erika Mauban and Bhavana Janga went 2-0 in singles.

“We went in one match at a time all season,” Mustangs’ coach Frideric Prandecki said. “I told the girls that we can’t be thinking about state or individuals. I told them let’s focus on this match and then if we win, that will be great. Then we can take the next step.”

Taler Bazell paired with Gondy, a freshman, for just the second time this season in a move that Prandecki credited to getting younger players more experience.

“It’s a great opportunity,” Gondy said. “When you see all of these seniors playing, it inspires you. The team comes together as a whole. We’re so empowered and have such a positive attitude. It’s great to finish and win the regionals.”

The Crusaders (16-3) earned four of their five team points in the third round.

Both teams will head to state.

The Meadows will face the Northern Region’s runner-up at the Reno Tennis Center Oct. 18 at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 18.

Faith Lutheran will meet the Northern champion at 2 p.m. Oct. 18.

“Right now, we’re really connected and we’ve been doing cheers throughout every round,” Taler Brazell said. “I think what we’re going to try to do is become extremely integrated. We want to be a family out here and I think that’s what it’s going to take.”