We played a complete match today. Malibu has lost a few key players since last year, but I was very impressed with the way my girls played today. All 13 Cate girls played in the 15-3 win and it was apparent that the things we’ve been drilling in practice are starting to carry over into match situations. That’s exactly what we’re going to need to beat La Reina and Carpinteria to fight our way back into the playoff picture.

I was particularly impressed with Pharibe Pope’s 7-5, 7-5, 6-1 showing at #3 singles. She’s been doing a great job for us in what is undoubtedly the toughest spot in the lineup.

Also, Emma Liberman and Cecelia Sanborn pulled off 7-6, 6-3, 6-3 wins. More importantly, they played doubles, poaching, lobbing, and communicating like a team with twice the experience. Their tail end of their 7-6 win against the Malibu #1’s was the most textbook doubles play I’ve seen from our team this year.

Also, we had a ton of fun doing it. We always do. On the way home from Malibu, we stopped at a gigantic sand hill and attempted to run to the top. It’s harder than it looks!