Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Coming off a sweep over Cedaredge last Saturday, the Steamboat Sailors are relying again on home-court advantage to garner another shutout when they face Delta.

The Sailors, who are 2-0, will square off with the Panthers at

1 p.m. Saturday at the Tennis Center.

The team defeated Cedaredge, 7-0, last weekend at home.

The game against Delta was originally scheduled to be played the same afternoon that Steamboat battled Cedaredge. But half of the Delta team was in Disneyland last weekend performing in a high school band show.

Delta, which defeated Roaring Fork for its only victory of the season, was 1-4 as of Thursday. The team played Paonia last night.

Carol Baily, who coaches the Sailors, said she feels the game will help prepare Steamboat for an upcoming tournament in Grand Junction April 6 and 7.

The Sailors are looking forward to playing at home this weekend, she said.

"I think it's to our advantage that we play indoors on clay," Baily said. "And it's always more fun for the girls to play in front of the hometown crowd."

Meagan Franks is the projected starter in the No. 1 singles position, followed by Allison Griffing in the No. 2 spot.

Franks, who is 2-0, will meet Delta's Lauren Melgoza, who brings a 2-3 record.

Griffing, who also has won both of her games, will play Sarah Chastain, who is 1-3.

Kim Heckbert is the Sailors' No. 3 singles starter.

The only change in the Sailors' starting lineup will be in the No. 1 doubles position, where Shannon Clow will fill in for Kandra Sharp.

Sharp will not be in town Saturday.

Ali Fisher is the other starter for the No. 1 doubles team.

The No. 2 doubles team is Tara Weiss and Tiffany McGinn.

Laura Varsafsky and Sarah Davey are in the No. 3 doubles position and Stephanie Kammerer and Marissa Bucci are in the No. 4 spot.

Delta coach Mike Chastain said the Panthers are looking forward to playing in Steamboat.

"We're excited to be able to have the opportunity to be able to play some matches indoors and on clay," Chastain said. "That's something completely new for some of my kids. It's just a neat experience for us to have."