After a top-notch singles showdown to open the match, Santa Barbara High’s girls tennis team took control and cruised to a 14-4 girls tennis victory at Dos Pueblos on Thursday.
Defending Channel League champ Lauren Stratman was 3-0 for DP and the doubles team of Kim Preston/Nicole Eskenazi picked up a set, but otherwise it was all Santa Barbara High.
That’s not a huge surprise, considering the Dons are going for their 29th consecutive Channel League title this season.
“The Channel League is a real big thing with us, and every one of our girls feels the pressure,” said head coach Steve Geremia. “Each year the team wants to make sure that they aren’t the ones to end the streak.”
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The day began with a hard-fought battle between Stratman and Santa Barbara’s Ariel Beckerman, who is playing at the No. 1 spot as Rachel Decker-Sadowski heals from a mildly sprained ankle.
Beckerman gave DP’s super-sophomore a run for her money before falling 6-4.
“I just tried to stay really positive. She played so well today,” said Stratman.
Beckerman, who has played Stratman in practice and in matches numerous times over the years, sent lots of shots high and deep to the back line to try and throw her off.
“It was a good match, and I felt like I had a lot of opportunities but she won the big points when she needed to,” said Beckerman. “I usually hit a lot of high, deep balls — particularly to Lauren.”
Santa Barbara High led 10-2 after two rounds and got to get some younger players subbed in for the third, which is something Geremia tries to do as often as possible.
The top-ranked Dons (4-0-1, 2-0 Channel League) who will be playing their fourth consecutive match when they host University High on Friday, also won by a 14-4 a strong Beverly Hills team on Wednesday. In both matches, Santa Barbara went 6-3 in singles and 8-1 in doubles.
“It was tough to meet the challenges the Dons brought to the court, but it’s early in the season and it’s good to face tough competition now and learn how to deal with the challenges that are out there.” said DP coach Suzy Dahl.
The Chargers are now 4-2 overal and 1-1 in the Channel League.
SANTA BARBARA 14, DOS PUEBLOS 4
Singles — SB: Ariel Beckerman 1-1, Caitlin Rodnick 1-0, Haley Hranicky-Galitzer 2-1, Grace Flinterman 2-1. DP: Lauren Stratman 3-0 , Chloe Warinner 0-3, Sophia Rasmussen 0-2, Amber Rexford 0-1.
Doubles — SB: Hanna Grokenberger/Kinzie McKeown, 2-0 McKeown/Lizzy Langhorne 1-0, Stephanie Thornton/Aurora Garrison 2-0, Savannah Fox/Emily Baum 0-1, Talia Hudson/Taryn Mjelde 3-0. DP: Kim Preston/Nicole Eskenazi 1-2, Katie O’Brien/Rachel Amspoker 0-3, Hanna Schmitz/Oriane Matthys 0-3.
Records — SB: 4-0-1, 2-0. Channel League, DP: 4-2, 1-1.
