Decisive Win Primes Smith for Key Match

Kirstin Smith of Thousand Oaks made short work of her first-round opponent in the Ojai Valley Tennis tournament Thursday, defeating Nancy Citron, 6-0, 6-0, in the girls’ 18 singles division.

Smith, a Southern Section semifinalist last fall and winner of the Anaheim Tennis Center Junior Open singles and doubles titles last week, has her work cut out this morning, however. She faces Cammie Foley, who has accepted a scholarship offer from UCLA, at 7:45 in a second-round match. Smith will attend Pepperdine on a scholarship.

“Kirstin has a real good chance in this tournament,” said Tim Bednar, Smith’s coach at Thousand Oaks High. “She’s so aggressive.”

Gabriela Knizek of Van Nuys defeated Kirstin Spain, 6-0, 6-1, in the same division.

Alisha Portnoy and Abigail Villena of Granada Hills defeated Pamela Berning and Jennifer Palumbo, 6-0, 6-1, in girls’ 18 doubles.

In girls’ 16 singles, Alison Paris of Calabasas defeated Allison Light, 6-7, 6-4, 6-3, and Natasha Pospich of Woodland Hills defeated Amelia White, 6-4, 6-3.