Santa Barbara High’s girls tennis team took on top-ranked Peninsula, and the Dons learned why the Panthers are the No. 1 team in CIF Division 1.
Peninsula lost only one set in singles in handing the Dons their first loss of the season, 14-4, on Wednesday in Palos Verdes.
“Peninsula is as strong a team as I have seen in the last five years,” Santa Barbara coach Greg Tebbe said. “They are absolutely loaded in singles and their doubles teams are quite strong as well. It was a good experience for our team to play such a talented group. It brings out the best in your tennis and this experience will help us to improve.”
Santa Barbara’s No. 1 player Mattea Kilstofte went 1-2 on the day
The Dons (7-1) were led by their the doubles team of Megan Grant and Madison Hale who won two out of their three matches, including a 6-4 win over Peninsula’s top team which was previously undefeated.
Santa Barbara is back in action Thursday against Dos Pueblos.
Santa Barbara singles:
Mattea Kilstofte 1-2
Hailey deBoer 0-3
Mia Wilkinson 0-1
Claire Casey 0-1
Gabrielle Goss 0-1
doubles:
Megan Grant / Madison Hale 2-1
Lisa Santry / Kelli Martiindale 0-3
Karina Thornton / Lexi Gulden 1-2
Peninsula singles:
Ena Shibahara 2-0
Annika Ringblom 3-0
Jasmine Hasseini 2-1
Rachel Martinez 1-0
doubles:
Riso Nakagawa / Sara Khattob 2-1
Gala Strong / Tia Elpusan 3-0
Sarina Liu / Alang Roth 1-2
