Columbia High School (Evergreen League) singles tennis player, Claire Hayes, won three straight matches on Thursday, May 16 to secure her spot at the Washington State High School Tennis Tournament. In the first round of the 1A District 4 girls varsity tennis championship tournament, Hayes defeated Halle Hill (Castle Rock HS) 6-1, 6-2. In round two, Hayes secured another victory against Bailey Andersen (Eatonville HS) 6-2, 2-6, 6-1, then finished off the day with a third round win against Hazel Langer (Stevenson HS) 6-2, 6-4. At the end of the first day of the tournament, the top four singles players were all from the Gorge, represented by Columbia and Stevenson.

The tournament finals were held on Friday May 17 at Stevenson High School. Samia Rudd (Stevenson HS) defeated Hayes 6-4, 6-4. As the top two finishers, both Rudd and Hayes will be playing in the 1A WIAA State Tournament to be held in Yakima, Wash. on May 24-25. Since 2000, only two singles players have qualified for the state tennis tournament, the last time being 2012.