Malibu puts up tough front for Ranger racket girls
By Misty Volaski

Nordhoff's girls' tennis team caused a racket in the Frontier League last week when they rebounded from a 12-6 loss against Malibu to blow Oaks Christian out of the water, 15-3.

"Malibu's got an extremely strong team this year," said Nordhoff coach Rebecca Cook. The Sharks bit into Ranger singles players Emily Johnston, Nathalie Selleslags and Rachel Ward, dominating the court and keeping Nordhoff from even one set win. E. Johnston started off with a 6-0 loss, but came close in the second, losing 6-4. Malibu's Chelsea Musser finished her off with a 6-1 win. All three Ranger singles had similar games, fighting for a win but lacking "intensity," said Cook.

Nordhoff's doubles players fared better, each winning two of their three sets. Danica Day and Tara Saylor lost their first match by a close 7-5, but rallied back to best Maibu's No. 2 and No. 3 teams, 6-2 and 6-1.

Nicole Pettler and Alex Paddock won their first match 6-3, lost the second, 6-2, but retaliated with another win, 6-4.

Nordhoff's No. 3 doubles duo Perry Johnson and Blair Johnston came out strong with two 6-4 wins before falling to Malibu, 6-0 in their last set.

Though the doubles did do better than Nordhoff's singles against Malibu, coach Cook noted to the Ranger girls. "Don't watch your partner!"

The girls came back into their game against Oaks Christian, allowing only three points for the Lions the whole day.

E. Johnston and Selleslags each swept all three of their matches, while Ward lost only once to Oaks Christian's Kristen Seaeabury, 6-2.
Doubles Day and Saylor also swept their matches, while Pettler and Paddock and Johnson and B. Johnston each took two of three.

"The girls played their hearts out and won," Cook said of Nordhoff's performance against Oaks Christian. "They did a great job."
Among Nordhoff's points to work on, added Cook, footwork and getting in more consistent serves are at the top of her list. However, she added, "We're a very strong competitor for second in (Frontier) League."

© 2003 The Ojai Valley News

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