Irrigon's Leah Mueller, left, and Claire Mueller reached the consolation finals of the 4A/3A/2A/1A state tennis tournament on May 25, 2024, at Oregon State University in Corvallis, but fell short against Catlin Gabel’s Jiya Mehta and Elise Kim.

CORVALLIS — Irrigon’s Leah Mueller and Claire Mueller reached the consolation finals of the 4A/3A/2A/1A state tennis tournament at Oregon State University in Corvallis, but fell short against Catlin Gabel’s Jiya Mehta and Elise Kim 6-2, 6-3.

It was the best finish by an Irrigon team or player in program history.

“That was super exciting,” Knights coach Katrina VanderPloeg said. “They have a lot of chemistry on the court. This is Claire’s first year playing tennis.”

To reach the consolation finals, the Muellers beat Christina Nguyen and Taylor Murphy of Marist Catholic 8-6.

Leah Mueller, a senior, went to state last year in doubles with Melissa Leon.

The Knights took two doubles teams to state, but freshmen Alexis Ewing and Samantha Yates went 0-2.

The Knights, who are in Special District 4 with the likes of Sisters, Crook County and The Dalles, made it further than any of their district partners.

—Hermiston Herald