Sisters Hailey Kerker and Taryn Kerker already had accomplished a lot during their high school tennis careers entering their senior year at Camas.
Hailey Kerker won back-to-back 4A singles state titles before placing third at state last year.
Taryn Kerker won a state title in doubles with Fiona Zhou in 2023 before the pair had a runner-up finish last season.
But to cap their high school careers, the Kerker sisters wanted to do something different. So they paired up as a doubles team.
“I really wanted to play with my sister because this is our last year,” Hailey Kerker said. “And I wanted it to be special. Plus, I like playing with her.”
On Friday, the Kerker sisters began the run through the postseason by beating Camas teammates Avery Fisher and Greta Babarskaite 6-0, 6-1 to capture the 4A district doubles title at Club Green Meadows.
As you might expect with twin sisters, when the Kerkers like to take turns completing thoughts, like a rapid rally of volleys at the net.
“It’s been really fun,” Hailey said of playing with her sister. “We haven’t played doubles together …”
“In a long time,” Taryn added.
“Like we played together when we were little,” Hailey said. “But this has been fun playing.”
“Yeah, it’s a good experience,” Taryn answered back.
The Kerkers dropped only four games while sweeping to three victories in the tournament. Next up is the 4A bi-district tournament next Friday and Saturday in Kent.
“(We’re looking forward to) just playing together more and getting good matches in,” Taryn said.
With Hailey Kerker playing doubles, it provides an opportunity for junior Yvonne Yin to improve from her fourth-place show at state last year.
But first Yin had to avenge a loss, of sorts, to Annie Sheppert of Skyview in the district singles title match.
Yin took a disqualification loss to Sheppert during league play when Yin tried power through and play the match on the same day she stayed home sick from school.
But students who miss school can’t play sports on that same day. The mistake wasn’t discovered until mid-match between the two players.
“So the score was 6-0, then 0-6, and then I got disqualified,” Yin said. “So I lost that one, but I never really got the chance to finish the match.”
On Friday, Yin finished off Sheppert in quick form, winning 6-1, 6-1.
“I think I played surprisingly well for myself today,” Yin said. “I didn’t expect myself to hit as many deep balls as I did today … so I’m feeling pretty good about bi-districts.”
The tournament wraps up Saturday with consolation finals to determine the final berths to the bi-district tournament.
