University gets ready for girls tennis quarterfinals

LAS FLORES – If things go well for the University girls tennis team, the Trojans are going to be spending a lot of time on the courts over the next seven days.

After defeating Tesoro 13-5 on the Titans’ home courts, University head coach John Kessler and his team can rest easily knowing they made it through the first step of the journey unscathed.

No. 2 University will take part in the CIF-SS Girls Tennis Championship quarterfinals Tuesday, and if the Trojans win, the team plays in the semifinals Thursday. Then, members of the team will compete Friday in the CIF-SS individual tournament before Monday’s finals – if the team can get that far.

“It’s a lot of matches. It’s pretty packed.” senior Kyra Scott said. “The good thing is that after a match like this, we probably won’t be too tired.”

Judging by how things went on the courts Monday, University seems poised for a deep run. The top players were off the courts after just two rounds of play with the match clinched, and the team looked loose and confident despite playing for their season each match.

“This is a big boost for us,” Scott said. “It’s a good way to start off this part of it with some confidence.”

Tesoro’s top player, South Coast League singles champion Mayci Jones, won her first set 6-0. But with University winning the other five available points in the first round and Jones nursing a hip flexor injury, Tesoro head coach Tim Dileo subbed her out of the match.

And though Tesoro lost the match, Dileo was able to empty his bench and play all of his seniors, some of whom won the final set of their high-school career.

“That’s pretty cool,” he said.