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Perfection achieved by Palos Verdes, which completes 27-0 season by defeating Los Altos to capture first girls tennis state crown

Palos Verdes girls tennis | Erik Boal photo

FRESNO – For more than 100 days, Palos Verdes High navigated through a challenging schedule of nonleague, tournament, league, section and regional matches by relying on the deepest doubles lineup in the country and a versatile singles roster to remain unbeaten.

In less than 100 minutes Monday at the CIF State Girls Tennis Championships, the Sea Kings demonstrated to Los Altos High exactly how impressive and overwhelming that combination can be in their pursuit to complete a perfect season.

Post-match interviews

Palos Verdes allowed a combined five games in six sets to sweep all three doubles matches, along with receiving significant singles victories from Tia Messerli and Cassie Blakey to secure a 5-2 win and the program’s first state title at Sierra Sport and Racquet Club.

The Sea Kings continued a remarkable 20-day stretch that began Nov. 20 with freshman Rina Kawasaki winning the girls golf individual state crown, followed by their girls volleyball program capturing the Division 1 state championship Nov. 22, the girls tennis lineup securing a Southern California Regional title Nov. 23, as well as senior Stella Simpson-Morgan and Blakey emerging victorious Dec. 5 in the Southern Section doubles tournament and the football team prevailing Dec. 7 in its regional bowl game to advance to the Division 2-A state final Saturday against Twelve Bridges at Saddleback College.

But the history achieved by the Palos Verdes girls tennis program this fall might set the group apart from the excellence showcased by their fellow Sea Kings student-athletes.

Palos Verdes girls tennis | Erik Boal photo

Palos Verdes became the first high school girls tennis team in Southern California history to finish the season with a 27-0 record.

The Sea Kings are also the only program to win the Golden State Classic and Point Loma Invitational, as well as Southern Section Open Division, Southern California Regional and state championships in the same year, earning three victories against an elite lineup from Portola High from Irvine along the way, the final triumph by a 5-2 margin Nov. 23 in the regional final at The Claremont Club.

Palos Verdes also joined Bay League rival Peninsula High in completing an unbeaten season, in addition to winning the Southern Section doubles crown, along with capturing section and regional team championships all in the same year, which the Panthers achieved in 2014 with a 26-0 record.

Palos Verdes girls tennis | Erik Boal photo

The state championship for girls tennis was only added to the fall schedule last year, with Mater Dei capturing the inaugural title by producing a 7-0 victory against Menlo School.

Palos Verdes appeared to be headed in a similar direction Monday, with Sofia LeGallo and Oregon commit Simpson-Morgan producing a 6-0, 6-0 victory at No. 1 doubles against Ayana Modi and Madison Herby, which served as the catalyst for four dominant wins to secure the state title in expeditious and emphatic fashion.

Maddie Bray and Aileana McFerson overcame a slow start at No. 3 doubles, before finding their rhythm to prevail 6-2, 6-0 against Tyra Bogan and Sophia Stavrakos.

Moments after Messerli triumphed 6-1, 6-2 at No. 2 singles against Cory Medeiros, the Sea Kings not only completed their doubles sweep, but senior Caroline Chiu capped her prep career in a meaningful manner by teaming with Sofia Burwell to defeat Carissa Lai and Ava Randall by a 6-2, 6-1 margin in the No. 2 matchup to achieve the Sea Kings’ fourth point and clinch the state championship.

Bella Mariona rallied at No. 1 singles to give Northern California Regional winner Los Altos (24-7) its first point with a 0-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory against Danielle Nikmehr.

Los Altos girls tennis | Erik Boal photo

Mariona had endured a three-set loss to Elise Chen when Los Altos outlasted Central Coast Section rival Menlo School 4-3 to capture the regional title Dec. 4 at Broadstone Sports Club in Folsom.

Blakey battled back at No. 3 singles to give Palos Verdes its final point with a 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 triumph against Emily Wu.

Pallavi Mallampati capped the event with another win for the Eagles, edging Ava Min 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 at No. 4 singles.

Los Altos had a 15-match winning streak snapped, suffering its first loss since Sept. 28 against Los Osos at the Point Loma Invitational.

The Eagles won their first Central Coast Section title, in addition to capturing the program’s only regional championship, defeating rival Menlo School three times during the season to reach the state final.

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