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Just as the sun was going down, the Steamboat Springs girls doubles team of Lorin Paley and Alli Lowrie shut out the lights on Grand Junction Central.

As the last ones on the court Thursday, the No. 3 doubles team helped Steamboat remain unbeaten in Grand Junction, propelling the Sailors to a 4-3 victory.

"They knew it would come down to them," Steamboat coach John Aragon said. "They really stepped up and played well. They hit some great shots and played really well in the second set."

Claire Parsons picked up the lone singles win for Steamboat at No. 3 singles.

Top singles player Hayley Richman and No. 2 singles player Valerie Lezin each lost in three sets.

Also picking up wins for the Sailors were the No. 1 doubles team of Kylee Swiggart and Mandy Thielemann and the No. 2 doubles team of Christi Valicenti and Kaitie Breisch.

Steamboat, however, again had to juggle its lineup because of injuries.

No. 1 singles player Shelby Reed continued to rest a sore back.

Swiggart's usual partner at No. 1 doubles, Sara Bearss, injured her ankle during Wednesday's practice.

Breisch also is nursing a shoulder injury and may sit out this weekend's Western Slope Open in Grand Junction - a tournament that showcases the top teams from across the state.

"It will make a real mix of a lineup, but the big thing is we get experience playing these better teams," Aragon said. "It's important that the girls step up and play well."

The match against Grand Junction Central also was the first outdoors event of the season for Steamboat.

With most of the team's matches and the regional and state tournaments to be played outside, Aragon said getting the work in away from the comforts of The Tennis Center at Steamboat Springs is essential.

"We'll have to make some adjustments," Aragon said. "In the third sets, they started to make the adjustments.

"But (today) everything will be outside. (Thursday) should really help us for this tournament."

The Western Slope Open begins at 8 a.m. today.