2009 girls tennis Player of the Year

Tennis players’ abilities are readily measured by forehands, backhands and serves. Yet, there is a less tangible gauge that separates the real elite from the pretenders.

Orange Lutheran’s Kaitlyn Christian has it stored in groves, and it’s what made her the best girls tennis player in the county for the second consecutive season.

“I enjoy playing tennis,” Christian said. “I know the longer I’m on the court, the better chance I have to win. I love to stay on the court. The more physical the match, the better chance I have of winning.”

No one showed the grit and determination, the desire to outlast and outwork the competition like Christian, who has signed a letter of intent to play at USC next fall. Her mental toughness is second to none, and it helped her capture the CIF-SS individual singles title this season as a senior to complete an undefeated year.

For her performance, Christian has been chosen as the girls tennis Player of the Year. She also won the award as a junior, when she finished runner-up in the singles tournament.

“I feel incredible,” said Christian about winning the trophy that had eluded her for three seasons. “I’m really happy to play as well as I did. Last year I lost in the finals, and to win it this year for my school, it means more.”

The path to the championship wasn’t easy. Christian had to beat Brittany Sanders of Ontario Christian in the quarterfinals, a player who had beaten Christian the previous two matches. Christian won in straight sets.

In the semifinals, Christian had to defeat doubles partner Sabrina Santamaria of Campbell Hall of North Hollywood. Christian won that match in straight sets.

Then in the final, Christian defeated Krista Hardebeck of El Modena in straight sets, an opponent Christian had split her last two matches with.

It capped a season in which Christian helped Orange Lutheran earn its first Trinity League title after finishing tied for first with Santa Margarita.

“It was the perfect season for me and my whole team,” Christian said. “The hard work really paid off. We had great support from the parents and coaches.”

Perhaps the most revealing tale of Christian’s season happened after she claimed the CIF title. Her varsity teammates were on hand, and dumped jugs of water on her in celebration.

There were very few players on hand to watch the finals, but Christian had all her teammates there cheering her on. It was a sign on what the girls thought of Christian.

“Kaitlyn is definitely unique,” Orange Lutheran coach Mai-Ly Tran said. “With a player at her level, they usually don't relate to other girls, but it’s just her personality. She is just a really nice person. She gets along great with the girls. The girls wanted to come out and support. It was definitely great for them to come out.”

Christian said USC has been her goal since eighth grade, when she would watch Lindsey Nelson (Villa Park) play for the Trojans. Nelson’s father, Mike, coaches Christian, who is on schedule to graduate at the end of the first semester from Orange Lutheran.

After that, Christian plans on traveling and playing tournaments in preparation for her college career. Ultimately, Christian would like to go on to play professional tennis, with the goal to break into the top 50 one day.

With her genuine passion, fire and connection to tennis, few would bet against her. She’s already displayed the drive few do at such an age.

“I’m someone who follows junior tournaments to see how my girls on my team do,” Corona del Mar coach Brian Ricker said. “I also follow the other girls in the county. That girl has worked so hard. Here’s a girl who would play junior tournaments in two ages groups, and doubles. She would play in multiple tournaments on the weekend. And she does it because she loves it.”