Olivera Tadijin, pictured, and doubles partner Lexy Gulden advanced to Wednesday’s Round of 16 in the CIF Individual Tournament. (Presidio Sports Photo)
Santa Barbara High’s doubles team of Olivera Tadijin and Lexy Gulden continued to defy expectations on Tuesday by defeating another league champion to reach Wednesday’s Round of 16 in the CIF Individual Tennis Tournament.
Tadijin and Gulden, runner-ups in the Channel League, have beaten three league champion doubles teams to advance to Wednesday’s matches at the Seal Beach Tennis Center.
“It’s so far above what anyone expected them to do,” explained Dons head coach Steve Geremia.
On Tuesday, the Santa Barbara duo topped Pacific League champion Elizabeth Lieu and Annie Tung, from Arcadia High School, 7-6 (3), 6-0.
“We competed well, we played well, we showed a lot of composure,” Geremia said.?”We had a plan and we were able to follow it.”
The Dons trailed in the first set but held serve at 5-6 to force the tiebreaker. Once there, Santa Barbara recorded the final four points after a 3-3 tie to pocket the important first set.
