RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA — Santa Margarita coach Eric Michaut called Katie Chang’s slow starts to matches her being “analytical.”
She likes to feel out her opponent’s tendencies before attacking, he said.
While Chang said it isn’t always on purpose, the freshman lost the first game of the first set to JSerra’s Jadie Acidera in the Trinity League finals on Friday. Then she won the next four.
“She’s really in a special category of players,” Michaut said.
Chang entered the Trinity League finals as the No. 1 seed in singles after an undefeated league season. She lived up to the billing, capturing the league’s singles title with victories over Mater Dei’s Mackenzie Worsnop and Acidera at Santa Margarita High.
Chang, the niece of 1989 French Open champion Michael Chang, has not lost a set since dropping one against Northwood on Sept. 17.
JSerra got the upper hand over Santa Margarita in doubles, though, as two Lions teams made the doubles final by beating Eagles doubles pairings in the semifinals. In the championship, Mary Kaffen and Eliza Day defeated Zoe Kaffen and Natalie Wek in two sets.
Making the finals clinches a place in CIF individuals. In the Trinity League, both of those spots in singles were captured by freshmen. Chang and Acidera set the bar for seasons to come — and for a potential rematch next year.
Chang said she picked up that she wanted to hit the ball early against Acidera, giving her as little time as possible. At times, she was in complete command, placing shots in the corners with a pace Acidera couldn’t keep up with.
Chang said her first high school season has helped make her more “match tough.”
Said Chang: “The last few months have been a turning point for me.”
Contact the writer: mcooper@ocregister.com
