Sage Hill girls’ tennis team wins Lightning Invitational

The Sage Hill School girls’ tennis team won the Lightning Invitational tournament Saturday, defeating Bishop Gorman of Las Vegas 6-3 in the title match at Sage Hill.

Earlier in the weekend, Sage Hill had blanked Capistrano Valley and Laguna Hills, 9-0.

The weekend started off with Sage Hill President Gordon McNeill honoring longtime Sage coach and current Sage tournament director, A.G. Longoria, on Friday afternoon before the first round. The center court at Sage will be named for Longoria for his support and commitment to the Sage Hill tennis program.

In the tournament final on Saturday afternoon, Lightning junior Michelle Hung and senior Maya Byrd played well at No. 1 and 2 singles respectively, beating strong players from Bishop Gorman, 8-4 and 8-1. Junior Hannah Herin and sophomore Kimi Reddy won at No. 4 doubles to give the Lightning a 3-0 lead after the first round. In singles, No. 3 junior Morgan Mann won 8-6, but the Gaels cut the lead to 4-2 as No. 4 junior Miranda DeBruyne lost a tough match 8-7 and freshman Lauren Avenetti lost 8-6.

Entering the final round, the top three doubles teams for each team would determine the championship. Hung teamed with Avenetti at No. 3 doubles and won convincingly 8-1 to seal the victory. Byrd and DuBruyne followed with a 8-2 win at No. 2 doubles. The No. 1 team of Mann and senior Izzy Deckey lost a close one, 8-6.

Hung earned singles MVP for the tournament and Byrd, Mann and Herin were named to the all-tournament team. All four girls went undefeated on the weekend.

The Lightning host Newport Harbor on Wednesday.

To report scores of high school and college games, or other newsworthy items from youth to pro sports, contact the Daily Pilot sports reporters listed below:

David Carrillo Peñaloza, football and girls’ golf

(714) 966-4612, [email protected]

Matt Szabo, boys’ water polo and girls’ tennis

(714) 966-4614, [email protected]

Andrew Turner, girls’ volleyball and cross-country

(714) 966-4611, [email protected]