Playing in an official match for the first time in 26 days, Philomath High senior tennis player Adele Beckstead showed no signs of rust in a 6-0, 6-0 victory over Cascade senior Samantha Sandall.
In fact, Beckstead’s performance appeared to show a solid command in all facets of the game.
Gallery: PHS girls tennis vs. Cascade (April 15, 2025)
A collection of photos from Philomath High’s girls tennis match against Cascade on Tuesday.
“I think my strokes were pretty on — forehand and backhand and service went pretty well,” she said. “Just working on consistency and good points.”
Beckstead’s last official match occurred back on March 20 against Catlin Gabel. Last week, the team started a match against Marist Catholic and Beckstead almost got in a full set — leading at the time — before it was rained out.
In Tuesday’s match, Cascade took a 6-2 victory by winning three of four in both singles and doubles. But the final score was closer than one might think with five losses going the full three sets.
Philomath’s No. 2 doubles team of sophomores Clara Neville and Lizzie Workman pulled out a 6-3, 7-6 win over juniors Mandee Lopez and Kohyn Daughtery.
Out of those close losses, one of the toughest for PHS occurred at No. 4 doubles where freshman Bethany Cannon and Bella Nuñuz dropped a match in three sets, 4-6, 7-5, 12-10. Another close one that went Cascade’s way was at No. 4 singles where sophomore Maggie Real lost to junior Olivia Hunsaker, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.
Sophomore Lucy Thomas pushed her opponent to three sets in a 7-5, 1-6, 6-2 loss at No. 3 singles. Philomath’s No. 1 doubles team of juniors Lucie Oster and Maggie King had a positive start but ended up losing, 2-6, 7-6, 6-1. At No. 3 doubles, juniors Logan Cook and Lacey Bacho dropped one in three sets, 6-0, 3-6, 6-2.
Elsewhere, junior Lucy King was competitive at No. 2 singles but dropped a 6-4, 6-3 decision to junior Kenzie Clausen.
Beckstead now has a 2-1 record this season with the lone loss coming to Catlin Gabel junior Amanda Perez, who last year advanced to the quarterfinals at state. Beckstead last season reached the consolation final. She’ll be trying to qualify for the fourth straight year.
“I’m hoping to do really well at districts and then be able to go as far as I can at state this year,” Beckstead said. “At state, there are a lot of good players and so I think it’s just taking each match for its own thing … just treat each one differently and just start over.”
A dual-sport athlete, Beckstead also is a key contributor to Philomath High’s track and field team in the 1,500 and 3,000.
“It’s just balancing everything and getting the schedules together and trying to make it to as many activities as possible,” Beckstead said when asked how she handles both sports. “We switch up with late and early practice (in tennis) so sometimes I can get in a run before or after.”
Philomath’s next match on the schedule is scheduled for Thursday at Stayton.
