Cate spared not a single set for visiting Malibu High School, taking all 18 sets-of-play in the Tri-Valley League match held today on Cate Mesa. Cate moves to 5-0 (2-0 in league play) and looks poised to continue the streak at this weekend’s Santa Barbara Invitational Tournament.
How it Happened:
Cate’s singles lineup featured usual #2 doubles partners Elly Edwards and Chelsea Newlove, who each collected two set wins on the day. Edwards opened the match with a tight 6-4 win over Malibu #1 Ana Mitrovic (4.6UTR) and is now 8-0 overall this season, with 4 wins in singles and 4 in doubles.
Senior Evita Ferrone and sophomore Margo Nicholas added a pair of 6-2 wins against the Malibu #2, while freshman Elizabeth Jayich and junior Jade Wang each collected 6-0 wins against Mitrovic.
In doubles, it continues to be all Cate, all the time. After the perfect 54-0 doubles game-score across 9 sets versus Villanova last week, the Rams followed up the performance with a 54-6 showing today.
Last year’s TVL Doubles Champions and CIF Round-0f-32 pairing, Ivy Huang/Lisa Hasebe, made their season debut together at line #1. The duo scored a 6-0 win before being replaced by juniors Josie Goldhirsh and Riya Mitera. Cate received 3-set sweeps from Claire Tang/Kiki Chang at #2 and Gwendi Rogers/Edie Abbott at #3 doubles.
Coach Thorpe’s Comments:
I really enjoyed seeing the girls take on different roles in the lineup today. I think that, although there’s a lot to be said for specialization, giving some doubles players the room to roam the court and think out a singles match provides some insights that they can then take back into their usual roles.
Elly stepped up her game big-time today to take what is probably her best singles win to-date and Chelsea also showed us her versatility when not confined to the tighter spaces and targets of the doubles game.
We also got to see our new sophomore Margot compete for the first time today, after finally waiting out the transfer sit-out period, and she did not disappoint!
We’re firing on all cylinders already as we head into one of our big season objectives this weekend.
What’s Next For Cate Girls’ Tennis?
Cate opens SB Invitational play on Friday afternoon at 3pm, playing at home against San Marcos High School from San Diego County. The winner will play the winner of San Marcos High School from Santa Barbara and Rancho Bernardo High School from San Diego County at 9am on Saturday morning in the Semifinal Round. The Finals will be held at Noon on Saturday.
