'Cat racket girls put up
first league banner
By Misty Volaski

Villanova's girls' tennis team made school history last week with their victory over Cate school, giving the team their first-ever Condor League title.

"The girls struggled early in the match," said Villanova coach Grian Grisin, "but dug deep and found a way to win as a team. It was truly a team victory against a tough Cate squad."

Fernanda Zapata worked her usual magic on the court, sweeping her sets 6-2, 6-0, 7-5, while doubles partners Sarah Roussin and Ariana Lujan won two of their three. Zapata has won 24 of the last 26 sets she has played, losing only to Nordhoff's Emily Johnston and Sara Brinker of Laguna Blanca.
Villanova (11-3, 6-0) was down by two after the first round robin, but tied it up in the second and was able to finish the match with a victory over Cate, 10-7, for the Condor League title.

The girls' last two games also proved instrumental in winning league. Against both Laguna Blanca (0-11) and Bishop Diego (0-5), the Lady Wildcats won, 14-4. Though they were without No. 1 singles player Lauren Sims, VPS topped BDHS, 14-4. Zapata swept her singles matches, and Jessica Campbell and Katie Austin swept their doubles sets. Zapata bested Haley Nielsen in this match, 6-2, to avenge her early-season loss to Nielsen, 7-6.

Laguna Blanca also wasn't much of a problem for the 'Cats. Niki Blumberg and Lauren Sims swept their sets on the singles side while Roussin and Lujan topped all of theirs for the VPS doubles. Blumberg is 15-0 in her Condor League matches this year.

"They earned the league championship through hard work and dedication," enthused Grisin. " I am extremely proud of their effort and commitment this season."

© 2003 The Ojai Valley News

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