By Katie von Behren
Staff Writer
The Mira Costa girls tennis team’s season came to an end in a match on Nov. 2 against Thousand Oaks High School.
The team played in the second round of CIF playoffs after defeating Palm Springs High School in the first round on Oct. 31. However, Costa lost 13-5 to Thousand Oaks High School, ending the team’s chance at a CIF title, as well as the team’s season.
“Even though we lost, I don’t think it diminishes our remarkable season,” coach Joe Ciasulli said.
During the match, Costa won five out of the nine doubles sets. Doubles partners seniors Carly and Hanna McGuire won their set, 6-3, in the first round against the Thousand Oaks number-two doubles team. Senior partners Juliana Hoft and Alex Waller also won their first set, 6-1, against the number three-doubles team for Thousand Oaks; however, this was not enough for the team to come away with a victory.
“We really gave it our all in this match,” Carly McGuire said. “Hanna and I were working really hard to get each point. Even though we lost, everyone played their hardest, and I’m proud of the way we played as a team.”
The team has come a long way from where it was last season, having now defeated numerous teams it had lost to in previous years. The girls worked hard during the offseason and found a new focus on the team-wide goal.
“We worked really hard to win this year,” Waller said. “I’m proud of the way our team came together because I don’t think we could have been so successful without each other’s support.”
The Mustangs finished the regular season with an overall record of 16-3 and a Bay League record of 7-2, finishing second in Bay League.
“We had an incredible season this year,” Carly McGuire said. “Our team’s bond helped create support and confidence with each other. We had a lot of major successes against tough competition.”
The team will be losing nine seniors after the end of this season. The girls remain optimistic about the next year and the addition of new players.
“I am very proud of the outcome of the season,” junior Paula Cenusa said. “I want to continue to improve my game to help my team grow so that we can do even better next year.”
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