Santa Margarita’s girls tennis team took a major stride against a familiar foe in its chase for its 11th consecutive Trinity League title.
With its match against Mater Dei knotted after two rounds Tuesday, the seventh-ranked Eagles captured five points in the decisive third round to top the rising Monarchs, 11-7, at Santa Margarita High.
“We knew coming in that (Mater Dei) was greatly improved and that this would be the match we’d really have to play to the best of our abilities,” Eagles coach Eric Michaut acknowledged. “Mater Dei played really well. We played really well. That’s what high school matches are all about.”
Senior Katie Chang and freshman Elizabeth Bondy swept for the Eagles (11-3, 3-0) in singles. After dropping her first two sets, freshman Amelia Kitts’ lone win of the afternoon came in the final round, capping Santa Margarita’s third-round singles sweep for three pivotal points.
The Caroline Harris–Lauren Fisher pair and Christina Lombardi–Carolyn Nilsen tandem added the final two points with late doubles wins that secured the victory.
Santa Margarita has reeled off six consecutive wins, and established itself as the team to beat in league.
Mater Dei dropped to 8-4 overall and 2-1 in league. The Monarchs’ four losses have come against team’s ranked in the county top 10.
In the Pacific Coast League:
No. 1 Corona del Mar 11, No. 4 Northwood 7: CdM junior Danielle Willson swept her singles sets, the Camellia Edalat–Brooke Kenerson tandem matched that effort on the doubles side and the Sea Kings (11-0, 4-0) remained perfect on the season with a hard-fought win over the host Timberwolves (8-3, 2-2).
CdM will travel to take on No. 3 Dana Hills on Wednesday afternoon. With a win, the Sea Kings will have beaten the county’s second- through fifth-ranked teams within the last week.
Beckman 14, Woodbridge 4: Junior Ashley Teng dazzled, winning all three of her sets in 6-0 fashion, as the Patriots (10-3, 2-2) cruised past the Warriors. Teng remains unbeaten through four league matches. Beckman’s double team of Emily Lu and Alycia Adams also swept.
In the Crestview League:
No. 8 Villa Park 11, Foothill 7: Spartans top singles player Soly Colling continued on her midseason tear with a sweep of the Knights singles lineup, and teammate Elizabeth Yim notched a critical point against Foothill’s Michelle Zell, sealing the league opener for Villa Park (11-1, 1-0).
In the Sunset League:
Fountain Valley 12, Newport Harbor 6: The Barons’ victory sets up a showdown with Los Alamitos on Thursday for sole possession of first place in league. Both Fountain Valley and Los Al are 4-0 in league.
In the South Coast League:
No. 3 Dana Hills 18, Mission Viejo 0: The Dolphins improved to 9-1 overall and 3-0 in league after a dominating performance against the Diablos.
Contact the writer: kconnolly@scng.com
