Despite missing the playoffs and going 2-6 on the season, the Malibu High girls tennis team played well late in the season and has head coach Todd Montgomery excited about hitting the court next fall.
“I am hoping that all team members caught the ‘tennis bug’ and take lessons to improve the technical aspects of their games,” he said “We are a young team. If everyone keeps improving we may make it to CIF playoffs next year.”
One opponent that saw improvement from the young Sharks was Carpinteria High School. In the first matchup between the schools, the Warriors beat Malibu 17-1 on September 23. But in their second meeting on Oct. 9, the Sharks improved on their game and the day’s matches ended 9-9 (65-66).
“Many of the Shark players beat girls that had defeated them on the first match,” said Montgomery.
Montgomery also said the Sharks had a hard-fought 9-9 (57-56) win over Nordoff that showed how much the team had improved.
Senior standout Lisa Consiglio led the Sharks this year and was one member of their top doubles tandem.
Montgomery said Consiglio was the team’s role model of how to move on the tennis court.
“She had good moments all season, but to me the moment that stood out was when tears came from her eyes as she finished her last match as a high school tennis player,” he said. “Playing high school tennis meant a lot to her. She was a major force for Malibu for the last few years.”
Montgomery said a number of players on the 13-member squad improved on the tennis court including sophomore Kate Lasky and junior Charlotte Jackson. He said Kate was able to win more singles matches, and defeated opponents that beat her earlier in the season. Montgomery noted that Jackson, a non-competitive tennis player before this season, was able to win and play well in close matches.
“I hope that both girls stay involved in tennis in the off-season so that they are ready to win more matches when we start up again next year,” he said.
Montgomery said senior Mia Green also had a strong season.
Malibu ended the season in fourth-place in the Tri-Valley League.
Montgomery believes that if the girls put in the work during the offseason, next year’s team will be able to continue Malibu High’s storied tennis success, which includes league championships, playoff appearances, and state titles.
Montgomery said the Sharks plan on working hard in order to serve up more wins in 2015.
“The better we are technically, the better we will be able to fight for tight matches,” he said.