Catalina Foothills Defeats Sahuaro in Dominant Tennis Victory

But Falcons Face Tough Road Ahead to Secure Playoff Berth

Apr. 8, 2026 at 11:12am

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Division II No. 23 Catalina Foothills tennis team defeated D-II No. 49 Sahuaro 9-0 on Tuesday, moving the Falcons to 4-2 on the season. However, the Falcons currently sit outside of the playoff berth, as only section champions and top 16 teams qualify. The program has a storied history, with 17 state championships and 5 runner-up finishes, but faces a tough challenge ahead.

Why it matters

Catalina Foothills has been a dominant force in Division II tennis, but the current playoff qualification rules make it difficult for the team to secure a postseason berth despite their strong record and history of success. This victory over Sahuaro keeps the Falcons in contention, but they will need to continue winning against top-ranked opponents to earn a spot in the playoffs.

The details

In the 9-0 victory over Sahuaro, the Falcons swept all six singles matches, with Gracie Petrow, Brianna Mildebrant, Maddie Kumar, Lily Rubin, Samantha Hickman, and Della Stoldt all winning their respective matches in straight sets.

  • The match took place on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.
  • Catalina Foothills will host D-II No. 3 Salpointe (8-0) on Thursday, April 10, 2026.
  • Sahuaro will travel to D-II No. 59 Flowing Wells (1-9-1) on Thursday, April 10, 2026.

The players

Brianna Mildebrant

A junior on the Catalina Foothills tennis team.

Daniel Root

The head coach of the Catalina Foothills tennis program, who has led the team to three state titles from 2021-2023.

Kasalynne Chung

A player on the Sahuaro tennis team.

Isabelle Goitia

A player on the Sahuaro tennis team.

Isabelle Leyva

A player on the Sahuaro tennis team.

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What they’re saying

“Division II No. 23 Catalina Foothills beat D-II No. 49 Sahuaro 9-0 Tuesday afternoon at home.”

— Andy Morales, Reporter

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This victory keeps Catalina Foothills in contention for a playoff berth, but the team faces a tough road ahead as they must continue to win against top-ranked opponents to secure a spot in the postseason. The program's storied history and recent success under Coach Root make them a formidable force, but the current playoff qualification rules present a significant challenge.