Sea Kings get wake-up call

Steve Virgen

The final score could possibly give an indication of a sign of what’s

to come between two prep girls tennis powerhouses. But, a closer look

might actually support Amanda Rubenstein’s bold statement after the

Corona del Mar High girls tennis team lost its season opener, 10-8,

to Mater Dei at the Los Caballeros Tennis Center Friday.

The Sea Kings were left with confidence after their loss because

they almost rallied from a 5-1 deficit without their top two players,

seniors Brittany Holland and Juliette Mutzke, both of whom were on

recruiting trips. In addition, freshman Jillian Braverman played just

one set because of back pain.

“The team really came together and as always we gave a 110%

effort,” said Rubenstein, a CdM senior. “We’re going to come back

strong. I know we will take CIF.”

However, Mater Dei showed a preview of its impressive talent and

depth with the 10-8 victory. Three freshman, Michelle Murphy, Newport

Coast resident Elizabeth Van’t Hof and Leslie Bullock, appear to be

the cornerstone of the Monarchs’ promising future.

“This was a great victory for us,” Mater Dei Coach Richard Berman

said. “They didn’t come with their full lineup, but it’s still a

great win for us. But it’s only the first match of the season.”

The Monarchs built their 5-1 lead in the first round, which was

highlighted by a tight match between No. 1 singles players, CdM

freshman Jill Damion and Murphy. The two have known each other for

over four years and have practiced against each other.

Damion battled back from a 3-1 deficit, gaining a victory after

four deuces to tie, 3-3. But Murphy won the next game, which had

seven deuces. Damion came back and broke Murphy’s serve for a 4-4

tie. Then Murphy took advantage of Damion errors and also put down a

few accurate shots for winners to win the next two games.

Damion defeated Bullock in the second round, 6-2, while Rubenstein

defeated Michelle Van Oppen, 6-1. The Sea Kings also received strong

efforts in doubles from the Young twin sisters, Miranda and Hayley,

and Jamie Steele and Rachel Miller.

The Youngs, two freshmen, appeared to be CdM’s best doubles team

Friday.

They lost the dual’s closest set, 6-7, (6-8), to Newport Beach

resident Cassidy Grandstaff, a sophomore, and Van’t Hof.

Steele and Miller recorded a close-shave victory of their own,

defeating Grandstaff and Van’t Hof, 7-6, (6-3).

“We learned a lot from this match,” said Scott Feichter, CdM’s

first-year coach. “We are going to be different next week.”

Before the third round, Feichter did not make Berman aware of his

substitutions, which initially bothered Berman, but it turned out to

be meaningless. However, Berman was prepared to act on the violation

if it meant winning the game.

“[Berman] called the school to get a ruling on the substitutions,”

Feichter said. “Frankly, this was a practice match for me. I wasn’t

expecting a lot. I should have given him a lineup before the third

round. I told him I was planning to sub in the third round before the

game. But it’s a practice match. If they’re going to make a big deal

out of it, all it’s going to do is stoke the fire for us if we see

them in CIF, which will probably happen. We will have some angry

girls on our squad, and that will be worthwhile and give us an edge.”

Berman acknowledged Feichter’s mistake, but took into account that

it was the CdM coach’s first game.

“He made a mistake, and thank God it didn’t come to that,” Berman

said. “I give all the credit to their girls and they played hard

without some of their top girls. They came back and we have a lot of

respect for them. He’s a great coach and he’s going to do wonderful

things with that program.”

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Nonleague

Mater Dei 10, CdM 8

Singles -- Damion (CdM) lost to Murphy, 4-6, def. Bullock, 6-2, def. Van Oppen, 6-1; Rubenstein (CdM) lost, 4-6, 2-6, won, 6-1; Carnahan (CdM) lost, 0-6, Bryan (sub) lost, 0-6, Carnahan lost, 2-6

Doubles -- Manning-Norman (CdM) lost to Velasco-Zamucen, 0-6, lost to Granstaff-Van’t Hof, 1-6, Manning-Braverman (sub) def. Kells-McGlone, 6-2; Steele-Miller (CdM) won, 7-6 (7-3), lost, 1-6, won, 6-2; H. Young-M. Young won, 6-1, lost, 6-7 (6-8), won,

6-1

*--*