El Toro's Jones, Shebena reach CIF's round of 16

EL MONTE – Two words from El Toro junior Shannon Jones summed up how she felt after advancing to the round of 16 in the CIF-SS individual doubles championships.

"Holy moly."

In a sport with so many of the top players more concerned with upping their rankings in top juniors tournaments, Jones and her partner, senior Nadia Shebena, could barely contain their excitement.

"This is so exciting," Shebena said. "We didn't know what was going to happen today, and we just tried to play our best."

Shebena and Jones were one of two Orange County teams to advance out of Wednesday's play-in round to the final 16. El Toro's team will join El Dorado's Michele Cyrus and Joanne David Thursday at the Seal Beach Tennis Club.

County players didn't have the same success on the singles courts. St. Margaret's Zoe Oedekerk withdrew due to an injury and Aliso Niguel's Paula Chou fell to Wilson of Hacienda Heights' Meagan Zamilpa in straight sets.

Shebena was so excited after defeating Laguna Beach's Kira Hamilton and Brooke Michaels she couldn't remember the final point of the match – a volley at the net that shot directly at Hamilton's chest. After apologizing to her opponent across the net, Shebena turned around and looked at Jones with unbridled excitement.

"I can't even remember," she said before being reminded. "I have a panic attack anytime I hit anyone so I was worried."

While most athletes thrive on an attitude of confidence and invincibility, Jones and Shebena take a different approach to the court with them.

"We thought we were going to lose ever since the first round," Jones said.

The long-time partners were bounced in the first round of last year's tournament, and while expectations were low, the pair hase begun to build confidence.

"This is our last chance to play together," Shebena said. "We play every game like it's our last chance to be together."

Jones' power and aggression and Shebena's consistency have provided the perfect balance for the two.

"It's like opposites attract with us," Shebena said.

While the competition is expected to stiffen considerably Thursday, Shebena's enjoying the ride in her final season.

"I know I'm going to college for academics. If I play tennis, it'll be in intramurals," Shebena said. "This is my last chance to play competitively – and I'm doing it with my partner."

Contact the writer: dwoike@ocregister.com