It has already been a memorable fall season for the Palos Verdes High girls tennis team, as well as the school’s entire athletic department.
The unbeaten Sea Kings will look to continue their momentum and contribute another historical achievement for the school when they pursue a team title in the CIF State Girls Tennis Championships at 11 a.m. PST Monday against Los Altos (24-6) at Sierra Sport and Racquet Club in Fresno.
Palos Verdes (26-0) has already won the Southern Section Open Division crown and the Southern California Regional title – each for the first time in program history by defeating Portola in both matchups – and is now looking to complete the championship trifecta against the Eagles, the Central Coast Section winner and first-time Northern California Regional champion.
Cassie Blakey and Stella Simpson-Morgan became the first Palos Verdes doubles team to win the Southern Section title since Stella Sampras-Webster and Denay (Dierks) Vogel in 1983, producing a 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 victory Thursday against Notre Dame Sherman Oaks sisters Alexandra Wolf and Kingsley Wolf at Biszantz Family Tennis Center in Claremont.
Blakey and Simpson-Morgan will be relied on significantly again Monday for the Sea Kings, along with Danielle Nikmehr, Aileana McFerson, Caroline Chiu, Sofia LeGallo, Sofia Burwell, Maddie Bray, Tia Messerli and Ava Min.
Los Altos, which prevailed against Menlo School in the Central Coast Section final as well as Wednesday by a 4-3 margin in the Northern California Regional championship in Folsom, has benefited from the performances of Bella Mariona, Cory Medeiros, Emily Wu and Pallavi Mallampati in singles, in addition to Carissa Lai, Ava Randall, Ayana Modi and Maddie Herby in doubles.
Los Altos girls tennis | Photo courtesy of Los Altos
Palos Verdes, which had only won state titles in cross country prior to this fall, celebrated freshman Rina Kawasaki capturing the girls golf individual crown Nov. 20 in a two-hole playoff against reigning champion Zoe Jiamanukoonkit of Torrey Pines after both athletes shot 3-under 69.
The Sea Kings followed Nov. 22 by securing the Division 1 girls volleyball state title with a sweep of Pleasanton Foothill and have the potential to add two more championships in a six-day span.
In addition to the girls tennis state final Monday, Palos Verdes is also competing in the Division 2-A football championship game Dec. 14 against Twelve Bridges at Saddleback College.
The Sea Kings also have the potential to make additional history against Los Altos by becoming the only girls tennis program in Southern Section history to finish a season with a 27-0 record.
Peninsula High, a Bay League rival of Palos Verdes, went 26-0 in 2014, winning the Southern Section Division 1 title and the Southern California regional championship, in addition to Risa Nakagawa and Sara Khattab capturing the doubles crown.
Mater Dei won the inaugural girls tennis state title last year with a 7-0 victory against Menlo School, rebounding from a loss to Westlake High in the Southern Section Open Division final to secure the regional and state championships.