Herrera, Martinez advance to round of 16

For Monache’s Jasmine Martinez, it’s nothing new to be headed to the third round of the CIF Central Section singles championships. But for Granite Hills’ Sarah Herrera, it’s uncharted Grizzlies’ territory.

Martinez defeated her first two opponents — El Diamante’s Wendy O’brien (6-1, 6-2) and Central Valley Christian’s Bri Westley (6-2, 6-1) — and next faces No. 2 Lyndsay Cooke, out of Bakersfield Christian, Friday.

Herrera took out Exeter’s Niki Zeibak in the first round, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4. She then clinched the Orange Belt’s upset of the week over No. 12-seed Katlyn Wood, from Buchanan, in straight sets: 6-3, 7-6 (7-1).

“That was a fabulous, unbelievable match,” Granite coach Randy Smee said. “Sarah is playing unbelievable tennis right now and she definitely deserves to be moving on.”

Herrera will attempt to keep the Cinderella story going against No. 5-seed Denisa Hromadkova, of Frontier.

Herrera’s teammate, Caitlin Jetter, didn’t have so much luck as she lost in the first round against Fresno’s Mara Curry, 2-6, 1-6.

Granite’s doubles team of Mai Lor and Bailey Ward enjoyed the Grizzlies’ other big upset — a 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 victory over the No. 16 doubles team from Stockdale High. But the success was short-lived as they lost to unranked Sunnyside, 3-6, 6-4, 4-6 in the second round.

Strathmore sent two doubles teams for their top-three finishes in ESL competition.

Angie Ballin and Amy Clifton faced off against Firebaugh’s top duo, winning 6-2, 6-0, before falling in the second round to No. 3 Buchanan, 6-0, 6-0.

The Spartans’ other doubles team — Brianna Rodriguez and Jessica Moreno — dropped out in similar fashion, losing 6-0, 6-0, to No. 9 Immanuel in the second round after defeating Yosemite, 6-2, 6-1. Strathmore recently won its second straight ESL championship.

Martinez and Herrera continue Valley singles play, Friday, at Redwood.