NEWPORT BEACH – Fresh off its momentous win over rival University last week, Corona del Mar’s girls tennis team firmly established itself as top dog in Orange County with a one-sided victory over No. 7 Northwood, 15-3, on Tuesday afternoon at Corona del Mar High.
Sophomore Danielle Willson and junior Jasie Dunk led the way with singles sweeps, while the doubles teams of Camellia Edalat–Erica Chen and Brooke Kenerson–Emily Freyman both went 2-0 before being subbed out in the third round.
“I don’t think we really even processed it,” said Dunk, referring to last week’s result over University that snapped the Trojans’ 54-match league winning streak. “It’s just kind of soaking in with everyone congratulating us that we actually beat them and ended their streak.
“We’re definitely more confident now as a team. Danielle and I both beat Kerisa (Lin), and I think that’s from the momentum of last week.”
Lin, the Timberwolves’ top singles player, entered the day with a perfect record, having not dropped a set all season. She was up 5-4 with service, but the Northwood junior could not fend off Willson, who won three consecutive games to notch a 7-5 victory that gave CdM its fifth point of the first round.
Dunk’s 6-2 win over Lin highlighted another five-point round for the Sea Kings, who led 10-2 with two rounds in the books.
“I feel this is a strong singles lineup we have,” CdM coach Jamie Gresh explained. “I think each girl plays a little bit different style, so the other opponents’ top two girls have to adjust to the depth of our three girls and the tactics that all three use.”
Corona del Mar, which has not won the league title since 2009, improved to 4-0 in league and 8-1 overall. Northwood dropped to 2-2, 8-4.
“Best team we’ve seen so far all year,” Timberwolves coach John Tichy said of CdM. “They’re well-experienced, they’ve got some ranked players. … Jamie’s just doing an awesome job with them.”
Contact the writer: kconnolly@ocregister.com
