The Cupertino Courier

Sports

Monta Vista looking good again in girls tennis race

By Mike Barnhart

With nine returning players, including junior Sophie Chang and senior Courtney Chin, Monta Vista once again looks like the team to beat in Central Coast Section girls tennis.

Winners of the last four Northern California championships and three of the previous four CCS titles, the Matadors finished play last week with an 8-1 record, including five in a row to start the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division season.

"So far it looks like Mitty, Saratoga and us as the three tops teams in CCS," Monta Vista coach Gene Fortino said after the Matadors' 6-1 victory at Homestead last Thursday.

Interestingly, Archbishop Mitty and Saratoga will provide the competition in a busy, upcoming week for the Matadors. After hosting the Monarchs on Monday, Monta Vista takes on the visiting Falcons from Saratoga on Thursday, 3:30 p.m.

"The next two weeks will be huge for the girls," noted Fortino, pointing out a non-league visit from highly regarded Menlo on Oct. 8 and a tournament at Newport Beach, Oct. 12-13.

The 16-team event will be hosted by Corona Del Mar, the Southern California powerhouse that handed Monta Vista its only loss of the season. Corona Del Mar beat the Matadors 4-3 in the finals of a pre-season tournament in Fresno. In the semi-final round, Monta Vista had beaten talented Mira Costa of Manhattan Beach 5-2 while Corona Del Mar scored another tough 4-3 decision over Mitty.

Mitty, led by junior Taylor Davis, is one of a handful of strong teams in the West Catholic Athletic League this season.

"The top four teams in the Catholic league could get four of the top eight seeds," Fortino said. "They are that good."

Saratoga, which entered the week with a 4-1 division record and 7-3 overall, will look to avenge its only division loss this Thursday at Monta Vista. The Matadors won on the Falcons' courts 5-2 back on Sept.13.

"It was a tough match the first time around and it will be tough again," Fortino predicted.

In the Matadors' recent win at Homestead, Chang topped Monica Bui 6-1, 6-1 in No. 1 singles. Chin also won in straight sets 6-1, 6-3 at No. 2 singles, and sophomore Melissa Kobayakawa lost just one game at No. 3.

Nickie Ding, a junior, suffered the only setback of the day for the Matadors. Homestead's Daniela Stefanov captured the No. 4 singles contest 7-6 (7-3), 6-2.

Fortino mixed up his doubles teams to give two freshmen, Vynnie Kong and Sylvia Li, some experience. All three doubles teams were winners.

Kong teamed with senior Chau Nguyen to score a 6-4, 6-1 triumph over Mustangs Constance deMonts and Allison Decaro. Li partnered with sophomore Tara Nguyen to win all but one game at No. 2. The third doubles unit of senior Melody Wang and junior Iliana Nguyen combined for a 6-3, 6-3 victory.

Senior Tiffany Nguyen did not play at Homestead, but is a key returning player for the Matadors. Other team members are junior Joyce Chan and sophomores Annalisa Choy and Gizem Gures.