By Casey Sublett, Sports Editor
and Katie von Behren, Staff Writer
Coming off a recent loss in the past week, the Mustangs struck back with vengeance.
Costa girls tennis defeated Palisades High School on Wednesday, 10-8.
In the first round, partners sophomore Brooke Swallow and senior Carly McGuire lost to the Palisades’ number-one doubles team, 6-4. However, the team managed to win the other five matches of the round. Junior Paula Cenusa defeated the number-three Palisades singles player, 6-0. Sophomores Taylor Klein and Mai Nojima defeated the Palisades’ number-two and number-one singles players, 6-2 and 6-0, respectively.
“This was a really exciting win for our team because last year when we played the Palisades we tied, so this match shows how much we really have improved,” Nojima said. “Hopefully, we will keep up the hard work for the rest of the season.”
The second round fared well for the team. Senior doubles pair Alex Waller and Juliana Hoft defeated the number-two doubles team, 6-2. McGuire and Swallow beat Palisades’ third doubles team, 6-0. Junior Sidney Ascher and senior Sullibeth Ortiz-Torres lost after giving up five straight games to the number-one Palisades doubles team, 7-5.
“There were some tough competitors, but we remained focused and played really well,” Hoft said. “Alex and I are constantly improving in every match. We have learned that being relaxed makes a big difference in how we play.”
The final round was not so successful for the Mustangs. Senior Kayla Tarlton replaced Cenusa and lost to the number-one singles player, 6-3. Senior Hannah Proctor and junior Claudia Fellows beat the number-two doubles team, 6-1. Waller and Hoft lost to the number-one doubles team, 6-1. Senior Ava Klein lost to the number-two singles player, 6-2.
“The girls didn’t have the best match, but they played hard and did enough to win the match. I am pleased with the end result,” coach Joe Ciasulli said.
The team currently has a record of 12-1 overall and 5-1 in Bay League. The girls will play its next game at home on Tuesday against West Torrance High School, which will be its second match against West Torrance this season.
“I think our team can definitely beat West if we keep up how we have been playing lately and go in with the right attitude,” Waller said. “We all need to focus on each match one at a time and not tense up in any given set. This will help us win.”
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