The quest to defend their 2010 Tri-Valley League title is off to a commanding start for the Malibu High School girls’ tennis team. After dispatching traditional league foe La Reina High School 12-6 last week at the Pacific Tennis Club in Westlake Village, the Sharks improved their overall record to 9-1 and 4-0 in league play.
Britta Mosser swept her three singles matches and teammates Ilana Oleynik and Lauren Louks each won two of three singles matches as Malibu now prepares for its big match versus Oaks Christian High School at home on Thurs., Oct. 20 at 3 p.m. The Sharks beat Oaks Christian in the first round of league play, 12-6, back on Oct. 4. The two schools shared the Tri-Valley League title a year ago.
A close 10-8 loss to Santa Monica High School earlier this year marked the lone blemish on Malibu’s 2011 season, but the Sharks appear to be peaking at the right time after the strong victory against the La Reina Regents.
“I thought we played wonderful today,” MHS Coach Bruce Young said. “12-6 may not seem that close, but it was a tough match today and it went down to the wire. It’s not over until it’s over. The girls came through.”
The day started with a matchup between the two reigning Tri-Valley League singles champions playing in the number three singles position. Young inserted Mosser, the 2010 TVL singles champion, in the third slot against Regents senior Hilary West, the 2009 TVL singles champion. Though not playing at number one singles, this duel had the makings of a potential preview for this year’s singles championship in early November.
Mosser, a junior captain for the Sharks, utilized strong baseline play and consistent ground strokes to defeat West, 6-3. Mosser held a slim 3-2 advantage when she broke the serve of the powerful southpaw from La Reina. Leading 4-2, Mosser’s confidence grew and she played near-perfect tennis the rest of the set against West.
“I felt I played really well against her,” Mosser said. “I slowed my game down today and didn’t try to win the point right away. I had very few unforced errors.”
After knocking off West, Mosser did not drop a game the rest of the afternoon as she defeated the Regents’ Monica Godecki 6-0 and Carly Butters 6-0.
Mosser has been Malibu’s top singles player the last two seasons, but this year she has also played at the number two and three singles spots due to the emergence of Louks and the freshman sensation Oleynik. The trio form the core of a strong Sharks squad that has impressed during singles play while its doubles teams search for consistency.
Oleynik, playing number one singles, started the day off strong against La Reina with back-to-back 6-0, 6-0 blankings of Godecki and Nikki Crystal. In her third set of the day, leading 4-1, the freshman began to struggle against the more experienced West and faltered down the stretch, losing 6-4.
Young said the loss may prove to be a valuable lesson for Oleynik, 14, as league finals and the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section playoffs approach in the next few weeks. “This was a good experience for her,” Young said. “West is a very good player. It will only make Ilana stronger as the season goes on.”
Louks played number two singles and had a strong performance after a tough second-round loss to West, 6-7 (7-2 tiebreaker). She bounced back with a 6-0 win against Godecki. Louks also beat Crystal 6-0.
“I was happy with how I played, but I felt I could have played better against [West]. It was a good match,” Louks said. “My forehand and backhand were both pretty solid today.”
The Sharks’ doubles teams finished the match by winning five of nine sets. Tallulah Daly and Emma Sittig took two of three sets 6-0, 6-3, 0-6.
Malibu, ranked No. 6 in the most recent CIF-SS Division III poll, had a strong nonleague schedule during September and performed well against much bigger programs. The Sharks defeated Marmonte League schools Agoura 12-6, Simi Valley 9-9 (69-60 in games) and Newbury Park 10-8.
A 2011 Tri-Valley League title is within reach for Malibu, and Young has his team positioned for a strong post-season run. The Sharks were CIF-SS Division V Champions in 2003 and 2004.
“This is a good team,” Young said. “The girls are having fun. I am very happy with their progress.”