Malibu girls tennis falls in dramatic CIF semifinal after match resumes next day
By the time Malibu High’s Freyja Jacobson, 15, took the court in the CIF-Southern Section Division 7 semifinal against Laguna Hills on Nov. 12, the match was tied — and daylight was gone.
Malibu High cannot use field lights because of environmental impact and public health concerns, so whoever would advance to the championship game would be decided in the dark.
Jacobson and her opponent struggled to see the tennis ball — and even their own footing. The match was tied 3-3 when Laguna Hills agreed to travel back to Malibu the next day to allow the girls to complete their game in daylight.
Jacobson, Malibu’s No. 3 singles player, was a bit frustrated with the decision because she felt she had her opponent on the ropes.
“I play soccer, so I have a lot of stamina,” she said. “I don’t get tired playing tennis, but the girl was really tired. I could have taken advantage of that, but also, I couldn’t see the ball.”
The next day at noon, the players rallied back and forth in front of their teammates, coaches, and other supporters.
“You could just feel the pressure,” Malibu head coach Joyce Stickney recalled.
However, Jacobson was defeated 8-3 when she lost three straight sudden-death tiebreaks. Laguna Hills secured a 10-8 victory, advancing to the championship game where they were defeated 12-6 by Oakwood.
Malibu, CIF championship winners in 2024, finished the season with a 15-4 record, which included a second-place finish in the Citrus Coast League.
Stickney described Jacobson as the type of player who always gives her team a winning chance in the clutch.
“Freyja is super steady, athletic, reliable, and has a lot of inner strength,” Stickney said. “She’s a fighter. She really pushes herself. She has great poise on the court. She was smiling even when she lost.”
Jacobson, who also surfs and practices jujitsu, always tries to keep a positive mindset.
“I play my best,” she said. “That’s all that matters.”
Before and after the match, the Sharks huddled together and encouraged Jacobson.
Stickney said the moments brought out the best in the squad.
“It was a life lesson for all the team,” she explained. “All the team realized when Freyja was out there, we were out there with her. They all played a part in getting to this point. The responsibility of winning one more game or set was on everybody.”
Malibu began its playoff run with a 16-2 victory over Twentynine Palms on Nov. 5. Two days later, the squad beat El Rancho 10-8 in the second round. The Sharks made the two-hour journey to Lake Elsinore and beat Temescal Canyon 11-7 in the quarterfinals on Nov. 12 and advanced to the matchup against Laguna Hills.
Stickney described the match against Temescal Canyon, a much bigger school, as a David vs. Goliath matchup and noted how Malibu played sluggishly in the sweltering heat until they doused their hair with ice water.
“They went out there and got a clean win,” she said.
The Sharks were led this season by captains Ana Mitrovic, their No. 1 singles player, and senior Rylan Borress, their No. 2 singles player. Cole Ovsiowitz and Kenley Bell were Malibu’s No. 1 doubles players, while Vivian Giffen-Jasby and Bridget Shanahan were the No. 2 tandem.
The squad also included Lukenisa Michaels Rhides, Violet Giffen-Jasby, Eden Porat, Xue Mastrippolito, and Piper Smith. Quinton Kramer was Stickney’s assistant coach.
Stickney said Malibu played with enthusiasm all season.
“The team really gelled together and was really supportive of each other,” she noted.
The coach expects the Sharks to contend for the title again in 2026 since they only had two seniors on this year’s team.
“We laid the foundation for next season,” Stickney said, “and we are motivated to practice throughout the year.”
“Next year, we are going to have a really great team because everyone is warmed up,” added Jacobson.