El Modena's Hardebeck advances to semifinals

SEAL BEACH - For the first time in school history, El Modena arrived with two singles players in the round of 16 at Thursday's CIF-SS individual girls tennis championships at Seal Beach Tennis Center: Krista Hardebeck and Nicole Koehly.

By the time the tournament ends today, the Vanguards might leave with their first champion. Hardebeck posted victories in both matches, including an impressive performance against Beckman's Megan Heneghan, 6-2, 6-1, in the quarterfinals.

Second-seeded Hardebeck faces Dana Hills freshman Alyssa Smith in today's semifinals at 11 a.m.

Orange Lutheran's top-seeded Kaitlyn Christian, who finished runner-up last year, plays Campbell Hall of North Hollywood's Sabrina Santamaria in the other semifinal.

In the doubles semifinals, Corona del Mar's Melissa Matsuoka and Hailey Hogan take on Redondo Union's Della and Ella Taylor.

In the bottom half, Campbell Hall's Zoe Katz and Valerie Thong meet University's sophomore Kyra Scott and freshman Hayley Thompson.

Koehly was making her first appearance in the round of 16, but the senior fell in three sets to Ontario Christian's Brittany Sanders, 3-6, 6-3, 6-0.

Hardebeck lost in three sets in last year's round of 16 to Christian, and a potential rematch awaits.

“I remember that match,” Hardebeck said. “It was a tough one.”

By beating Heneghan, Hardebeck improved to 50-0. Heneghan entered with a 62-0 record but wasn't able to get Hardebeck out of her rhythm Friday.

The defeat ended a four-year varsity career for Heneghan that featured three Pacific Coast League singles titles and three losses in the past two years.

“My strategy was to keep it out of her comfort zone,” Heneghan said, “but her comfort zone is pretty much anywhere.”

Matsuoka and Hogan have a shot to become the school's first CIF doubles champions since Taylynn Snyder and Brittany Holland captured the title in 2002

“I like the way they played,” Corona del Mar coach Brian Ricker said.