While the Cougars have always been known for their depth, the Pacific Conference has featured several high quality singles players and doubles teams from Tualatin, McMinnville and Forest Grove. The two-day district tournament begins Thursday at Willamette University in Salem.

“Districts this year is going to be probably the toughest one in years,” Canby coach Mike Vaught said.

In singles, Tualatin features two of the best players in the state with Marti Pellicano and Leah Hoffee, who have combined to win two district championships and both have made state quarterfinal appearances. The two are expected to return to face each other in the district finals.

McMinnville sophomore Christine Selvy is the conference’s No. 3 seed, and has only two losses this season — both to Pellicano and Hoffee.

The No. 4 seed is up for grabs between Newberg’s Amy Stewart and Tigard’s Kelsey Wahl.

The Cougars best shot at reaching state will be senior Leslie Thomas, who has played No. 1 all season long and reached the state tournament last season by virtue of reaching the district semifinals. Thomas placed third at districts after beating former teammate Laura Knopp, 6-1, 7-5.

Thomas has already beaten Stewart and took Wahl to three sets last week before falling, 6-2, 5-7, 6-1. Last season, Thomas defeated Wahl, 6-4, 6-4 at the district tournament.

“So she is very capable of pulling off an upset just like she did last year when she qualified for state,” Vaught said.

Canby’s other best shot is senior Julianne Erbe, an all-around athlete who was the girls basketball player of the year in the Pacific Conference this past winter. The 6-foot senior, who has a 7-2 singles record, moved to singles midseason after playing doubles with her sister Sarah Erbe.

“Julianne Erbe also could make it if she gets a good enough draw,” Vaught said. “Her athleticism gives her a chance to beat anyone.”

Rounding out the singles lineup will senior Cate Lever, who went 9-6 overall and 7-3 in league this season; Aly McBee, who was 9-5 overall and 6-4 in league; and first-year varsity player Kortney Jolley, who was one of the big surprises at 11-3.

In doubles, Canby’s No. 1 duo of junior Kylee Perez and senior Leslie Robert look to return to state after reaching the district semifinals last season following a 6-4, 6-2 upset over McMinnville’s No. 3 seed of Karen Banks and Gina Carelle.

Perez and Roberts went 7-7 overall and 5-4 in league this season.

“Leslie and Kylee have the experience and the talent to beat anyone,” Vaught said.

The Cougars’ No. 2 team of juniors Hannah Bell and Samantha Stutzman also could figure into the mix after going 10-4 overall and 6-3 in league.

“Bell and Stutzman have a chance simply because of their athleticism and how well they compete especially under pressure,” Vaught said.

Other doubles team expected to represent Canby are Aly Wiseman and Sam Peterson, who went 11-3 overall and 7-3 in league; Emma Knopp and Sarah Erbe, who went 7-1 in league; and Meghan Miller and Stephanie Borgen.