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Turlock trounces Atwater on courts
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Bulldog Natalia Lima returns an Atwater serve on Thursday during her individual and team victory. - photo by FRANKIE TOVAR / The Journal

Atwater’s girls tennis team was no match for Turlock High on Thursday. The Falcons fell 8-1 with their only win coming by way of their number three doubles team as the Bulldogs (4-0 CCC) remained undefeated on the season.

“I had a feeling we’d beat them but I didn’t know by how much,” Turlock’s head coach Linda Bejaran said.

Although everyone played exceptionally well, Natalie Lima once again proved to be Turlock’s powerhouse as she utilized her serving and ability to keep her opponent guessing to maintain her perfect individual record. Lima’s consistency on the court has rubbed off on her teammates who are dead set on continuing a five year streak of undefeated Central California Conference seasons.

“She’s been working hard to vary the pace and sight line of the ball,” Bejaran said of Lima. “Tennis is looked at as an individual sport but these girls work hard to win as a team.”

Turlock’s plans for perfection continue on Tuesday when its girls face rival Pitman High.

“It’s a big game,” Bejaran said. “They enjoy playing Pitman but they enjoy beating them more.”

Lima is set to face off against Brittany Leon, Pitman’s number one singles player, in what is sure to be the match of the day. Competition is will begin at 3 p.m.