Parker Salomon
Staff Writer
Using powerful serves, impressive returns and good communication, the Mira Costa girls tennis team crushed Foothill High School, 16-2, in the opening round of California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) playoffs Tuesday at Mira Costa.
The Mustangs are currently 20-4 overall and 7-2 in Bay League. On Friday, the team will face off against an undetermined opponent in its second CIF match in Orange County.
“The team we will face off against on Friday’s match is not yet decided, but if the team plays to its capabilities, I am confident they will be victorious,” coach Joe Casulli said.
In its match against Foothill, Costa was able to take advantage of its high seed against an unranked opponent.
“Our team played really well in our match against Foothill,” junior singles player Amy Gaal said. “Wednesday’s match was fairly easy since Foothill is not ranked in CIF, but our future matches will be much more challenging since they will be against teams seated in CIF.”
The Mustangs started strong with victories by Gaal and junior doubles partners Madi Giese and Jacky Soliman. Costa kept up its momentum when sophomore singles player Isabelle Lau and doubles partners junior Lena Nagy and freshman Lindsay Giese won their games, ending the match 16-2.
“I am very proud of the team, and I am glad we made it to CIF,” Soliman said. “We have been playing very well this season, and today’s match was no different.”
In the first doubles game of the day, Soliman and Giese started out strong, leading 2-1. During the fifth set, Soliman nailed the ball across the court in a four- person volley, earning the duo the point. The two swept their opponents and won, 6-2, keeping Costa ahead 6-0.
“My partner and my volleys were very strong, and we were committed to getting to the net,” Soliman said.
During Costa’s twelfth game of the day, Gaal’s strong serves and volleys helped her dominate the competition 6-1, keeping Costa ahead 11-1. In an intense volley, Gaal hit the ball past her opponent, improving the set’s score to 40-15.
“Getting to the net whenever possible and serving strong helped me win my game,” Gaal said. “My return angles weren’t great, but overall I was pleased with my performance.”
In the fifteenth game of the day, Lau crushed her opponent, 6-2, keeping Costa ahead 14-1. After acing her first serve, Lau served another ace in the second set, helping her win the second game.
“My serves were great, and helped contribute to my win,” Lau said. “I was really proud with how well I did, considering I served two aces.”
In Nagy and Giese’s first game, they dominated and won, 6-1. In its last match, the duo faltered at first, and were losing 4-3 due to unforced errors. The team came back strong and ended the game, 7-5, bringing an end to the match, 16-2.
“My spin serves were very effective, and they resulted in two aces,” Nagy said. “Our volleys were strong, and we were very determined to come back and get the win.”
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