On Halloween afternoon, candy was the last thing on the minds of Foothill’s girls’ tennis team as they defeated Morro Bay 11-7 in their first California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) playoff game.

On the singles courts, Erin Gaynor ‘19 won two of her sets 6-1 and 6-0, as did Noelle Hayward ‘21, beating her opponent 6-1 both times. Leah Sehati ‘20 put up a good fight, but was bested by her three opponents, including Morro Bay’s top singles player, who none of the three Dragons were able to stop.

Since Foothill trailed Morro Bay on the singles side, their fate rested with the doubles teams.

But there was no need for nail-biting as the doubles players rose and took care of business. Two of Foothill’s doubles teams swept, Alyssa McClain ‘18 and Sherilyn Khouvilay ‘18 with set scores of 6-2, 6-1 and 6-0, as well as Jolie Seemayer ‘21 and Ella Duganne ‘20 with scores of 6-2, 6-3 and 6-2. Sisters Olga Q’oshlii ‘21 and Enkela Q’oshlli ‘18 also contributed a point to the dragon’s score, winning one set 6-4.

Coach Brad McClain felt that his doubles crew “did a very good job” and was pleased that they were able to make up for the points lost to Morro Bay’s strong singles player. McClain said “it’s always a team effort.”

Now that six of the newer players who did not have CIF experience “have got a playoff match under their belt,” both McClain and his team are hopeful as they proceed to the second round of the CIF playoffs on Thursday, Nov. 2.