Last Tuesday, the girls’ varsity team played their last season match at Balboa Tennis Club. This match against OLP was “important for two reasons,” mentions Coach Rob Moore. “First, it was important to the team to win the championship with an undefeated record. Second, by winning against OLP the Islanders virtually assured themselves of securing the No. 3 seed for the CIF Open Division tournament.”
Previously, the Islanders had defeated OLP 15-3 in sets, with dominating play in both the singles and doubles lineups. This match proved to be slightly closer. Elsa Östermarker (Line 2 Singles) and Lily Vu (Line 3 Singles) each won two of their three matches. The singles collectively led OLP 6-3 in sets. After Alejandra Gonzalez/Marla Steel (Line 1 Doubles) won their first match against OLP’s Line 1 team 6-0, Tiana French/Jolee Barr subbed in to win their two remaining sets 6-3. “Despite a slow start in both sets, French/Barr showed grit and determination by playing out of the slow starts and eventually finding their attacking game,” says Coach Moore. The Islanders secured a 12-6 win to take the title of Western League Champions.
Winning for the third time in the past four years, the Western League title placed Coronado as the No. 3 seed among the CIF power rankings. This means that the Islanders will be facing San Dieguito Academy (SDA) in the first round of the CIF Open Division tournament. SDA was Coronado’s first opponent of the season, whom the Islanders barely defeated 10-8. “The four doubles teams I started in late August don’t exist anymore, and the four teams we have now are so much stronger,” comments Coach Moore.
Good luck to the varsity team in the upcoming CIF playoffs!
Upcoming Match:
Tuesday, October 23 vs. San Dieguito Academy @ 2:30 PM at Home (CIF Playoffs). Meet the Varsity Team and see the CIF draw here.
