With the CIF playoffs approaching, Carpinteria’s top-ranked girls tennis team played up in competition and took on San Luis Obispo on Saturday.
The Warriors dropped an 11-7 decision, ending their 15-match win streak. San Luis Obispo is a CIF Division 3 school while Carpinteria is in Division 5.
The difference in the match was the Tigers sweeping the doubles sets.
“Even though our doubles did not win a set, I was glad they finally got to play some very good competition and see that we are going to have to work harder if we want to reach our goals,” Carpinteria coach Charles Bryant said. “Our third round, our girls really dug in and did not go quietly. Each team fought to the end. Gabi Montes De Oca and Merissa Souza lost a tough 7-5 set but played their best doubles set of the year.”
Kelsie Bryant of the Warriors got pushed, losing a game against San Luis Obispo’s No. 1 player en route to going 3-0 in sets. She is now 46-0 on the season.
Odessa Stork, got a little payback against SLO’s top player by beating her 6-4 after losing to her the first time they played a month ago. Stork also went 3-0. Allison Wagner played tough and steady and ended up going 1-2 at No. 3 singles.
“She really gave it her all, and I was proud of her and the rest of the girls as this match could not have come at a better time during the season for us,” coach Bryant said. “We have been going through league a little too smoothly and a little too non-chalantly, so this match was a good wake up for us, especially our doubles. This is the kind of match we will encounter in CIF.”
On Friday, Carpinteria lost only five games in beating Mission Prep 18-0.
Carpinteria is now 15-2 overall.
