Southern Section Girls’ Tennis Playoffs : Team Concept Pays Dividends for Hart in First Round

Tennis is usually considered an individual sport. But the Hart High girls’ tennis team Thursday found a way to introduce the team concept.

The Indians’ No. 2 singles player and top 2 doubles teams gave Hart all of its game victories and the Indians’ other 4 players added key points as Hart beat Mira Costa, 9-8, in a first-round, Southern Section 3-A Division playoff match at Hart.

The set between the No. 3 doubles teams was canceled because of darkness with Mira Costa leading, 5-4. Because the Indians led by 4 points, 81-77, and could not have lost the No. 3 doubles sets by more than 2 points, Hart (14-4) was declared the winner.

Marti Whittemore, the Indians’ No. 2 singles player, and the doubles teams of Desa Pecel-Danielle Wood and Cindy Courtemarsh-Shelly Manwaring swept their sets.

In other 3-A matches:

Westlake 18, Crescenta Valley 0--The Warriors (16-5) lost just 20 games as they breezed at Westlake Village Racquet Club.

No. 1 singles player Jennifer Reese won her 3 sets easily, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2.

The doubles team of seniors Natasche Backes and Cathleen Clark won its 3 sets by scores of 6-2, 6-0, 6-1, as did the tandem of sophomore Beth Parry and junior Aimee Weber.

San Marino 14, Camarillo 4--Molly White, Michelle Karas and Shannon Morgan won singles sets for Camarillo (11-7) as the Scorpions lost to the No. 1-seeded team at San Marino.

2-A DIVISION

Bishop Montgomery 10, Chaminade 8--The Eagles won 5 of 9 doubles sets but dropped 6 of 9 singles sets and lost the first-round match at Northridge Tennis Club.

Chaminade (14-6) played without singles player Kelly Croy, whom Coach Sue Lynn said was involved in a car accident last week.

Louisville 12, Lakewood St. Joseph 6--Louisville’s doubles team of Cathy Dy and Shellee Gautreau won all 3 of its sets without losing a game in the first-round match at Studio City Golf and Tennis Center.

Louisville (13-7) won 8 of 9 doubles sets, but dropped 4 of 9 singles sets.

SMALL SCHOOLS DIVISION

Campbell Hall 11, Orange Lutheran 7--Jennifer Scott and Stephanie Edmonson teamed to win all 3 of their doubles sets for Campbell Hall (15-4).