IRVINE – Before she ever stepped foot on a high school tennis court, Dana Hills senior Alyssa Smith knew what she wanted.
“I wanted my name up on the board too,” she said, in reference to a large sign that sits atop the entrance of Dana Hills’ tennis facility and proudly lists each of the Dolphins’ past champions.
Now a senior, Smith finally etched her name beside her sisters’ with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Dorothy Tang of San Marino in the CIF-SS Individual Championships title match Wednesday at the Racquet Club of Irvine.
“I didn’t really see it as pressure,” Smith said of following in the footsteps of two sisters with four CIF team championships between them. “Of course, I wanted to beat my sisters because we’re all super-competitive and that’s just the way we are. … I didn’t want to be the only Smith not up there.”
Smith’s sister Kristina (a senior at UC Irvine) won the doubles championship in 2007. And Joanna Smith (a sophomore at Arizona State) was part of two CIF championship teams.
“My sisters each won two team championships,” Smith said.
“We won it last year, and although we didn’t win it this year, I think this individuals championship balances it out between us.”
A tournament that endured three postponements because of rain ultimately concluded with Dana Hills’ second CIF singles championship and first since 1990.
“I feel like I accomplished everything I set out to do,” Smith said. “Winning both the state (regional) championship and individuals, it can’t get any better than that.”
Smith’s triumph closes the book on a remarkable season for the entire Dana Hills program.
In addition to Smith’s CIF championship, Cassidy Spearman and Jessica Perez reached the semifinals in the doubles draw before falling in three sets.
“Both Cassidy and Jessica went out with a fight,” Smith said. “We have a great senior class, and I’m happy that we can have such an impact on high school tennis.”
