Dons put stamp on 29th straight league title

Without much suspense and on the road, the Santa Barbara girls tennis team secured its 29th straight Channel League title on Thursday by routing Buena 17-1.

“It was exciting even though you wouldn’t think it,” said Dons head coach Steve Geremia. “We’re a happy bunch of Dons today.”

Geremia, without the services of three seniors, used 19 players in the match.

The Dons’ doubles teams swept their nine sets. Aubrey Macker/Alex Demopoulos, Savannah Fox/Emily Baum and Talia Hudson/Ariana Hudson took care of two sets each.

In singles, Taryn Mjelde was the only Don to win two sets, while Kaitlyn Rodnick posted a victory over Buena’s No. 1 singles player Danielle Warmuth in the only set she played.

Santa Barbara still has two regular season matches remaining on its regular-season schedule. A make-up match with Dos Pueblos has been set for Tuesday at Santa Barbara, followed by a Friday clash with Div. I’s No. 1 Dana Hills to get ready for postseason play.

“We’re playing the best competition in California,” Geremia said, with CIF individual and team playoffs in mind.  “After that, nobody looks as tough.”

SANTA BARBARA 17, BUENA 1

SB Singles: Rachel Decker-Sadowski 1-0, Taryn Mjelde 2-0, Stephanie Thornton 1-1, Stephanie Conliffe 1-0, Aurora Garrison 1-0, Kaitlyn Rodnick 1-0, Lauren Feuer 1-0. Buena Singles: Danielle Warmuth 0-3, Kiana Jenkins 0-3, Brooke Jepsen 1-2.

SB Doubles – Haley Hranicky-Galitzer/Grace Flintermann 1-0, Aubrey Macker/Alex Demopoulos 2-0, Savannah Fox/Emily Baum 2-0, Brianna Friden/Eva Koester 1-0, Talia Hudson/Ariana Hudson 2-0, Monica Lodato/Madison Severy 1-0. Buena Doubles: Jenn Roach/Cassie Field 0-3, Courtney Hopkins/Brie Cutan 0-3, Erica Thompson/Amari Hudsen 0-3.