Thomas Jefferson High School tennis has been on a hot streak for over three seasons now.

The team has won the South Puget Sound League Central each of the past three seasons while going undefeated in each of them. They are hoping to do the same for a fourth straight season and look to have the talent to do so.

A much improved Federal Way team stood in the way of their goal on April 16. A year after going winless, the Eagles came into the matchup at 2-1 in league play and 3-2 overall.

The matchup between the teams’ No. 1 singles players was a showcase for each girl’s talents. Jefferson’s Crystal Lee defeated Federal Way’s Olivia Chong, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.

Lee looked every part the state contender as she has been in doubles the past two years. Chong looks to have a bright future as she was a formidable opponent for Lee, despite being only a freshman.

“That was the highlight of the day for both teams,” Jefferson head coach Andrew Buchan said. “This is a much different Federal Way squad than last year. They’re good.”

Jefferson’s No. 1 doubles team, who like Lee have state tournament experience, also did not disappoint. Rileigh Qualls and Makaylie Moore picked up a 6-1, 6-0 win over Federal Way’s Tess Gabbert and Rozelle Schwyhart.

Alicia Gim gave Jefferson another singles win in a tightly contested match against another Federal Way freshman, Hannah Kim with a 7-5, 6-3 victory. The last Jefferson win of the day came at the hands of Erica Dillard and Ally Lee who defeated Anna Rodriguez and Melissa Ouk 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-2 in a hard fought match.

Federal Way avoided being shut out of the win column when Sydney Truong and Kailey Cruz defeated Ashley Corletto and Ashley Phan 6-3, 6-0.

Federal Way fell to 2-2 in league play and 3-3 overall. They played Decatur on Thursday, after the Mirror’s publishing deadline. Their next game is at home against Curtis at 3:30 p.m. on April 27.

Jefferson improved their record to 3-0 in league play with the win and 5-1 overall.

“I think that if we’re healthy and everybody is out here, we’re going to be tough to beat,” Buchan said. “We’ve got some decent depth. We were able to overcome today with six players out.”

Jefferson fell 5-0 to Skyview of Vancouver on April 17. The Skyview team featured Sammi Hammond who has won three straight singles state titles. Jefferson also took third place in the Thomas Jefferson Invitational that also featured teams from Skyview, Kentwood and Olympia.

The Raiders will play Curtis on Thursday.

They will face Todd Beamer at home at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, April 27 for the second time this season.

Federal Way’s Olivia Chong returns a volley to her opponent, Crystal Lee. Terrence Hill, the Mirror