FALL ATHLETES OF THE YEAR : Mall Is Queen of Tennis Court After Upsetting Longtime Rival

A few days after two of the biggest victories of her young tennis career, Anne Mall of Dana Hills High School was still basking in their glow.

Last Friday, Mall upset two-time defending champion Keri Phebus of Corona del Mar in a semifinal match and beat Nicole Hummel of San Marino in the final of the Southern Section girls’ tennis championships.

It was Mall’s first victory over Phebus in six attempts during high school competition and one that couldn’t have come at a more opportune time.

“That was one of my best wins so far,” said Mall, The Times Orange County girls’ tennis player of the year. “I was excited to beat her. It definitely was a high point.”

Mall, a 15-year-old junior, lost to Phebus in a nonleague match this season and during the Southern Section Division 4-A team playoffs. Phebus also had defeated Mall to win the individual title last year.

But last week was different. Mall played an aggressive game against Phebus, who seemed content to play passively and promptly found herself on the short end of a 6-3, 7-5 score.

Mall then secured the title with a 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 victory over Hummel despite a groin injury sustained the previous day and aggravated during the second set of the championship match. She had her thigh taped and continued to play despite the pain, but the thought that she might not be able to finish had crossed her mind.

“I was hoping that I could get it taped and that I could move around, but I was worried,” Mall said. “If it hadn’t been for the leg I think I could have won the match in straight sets.”

The victories in the Southern Section championships were the latest for Mall in a season in which she had a 54-2 record in sets. They came on the heels of her triumph Nov. 25 in the 18-and-under division at the U.S. Tennis Assn. National Indoor Hardcourt championships in Kansas City, Mo., where she also teamed with Lindsey Davenport of Palos Verdes Chadwick High School to take the doubles title. They also were her final victories in high school tennis. Mall will graduate in June ahead of her class, but she hasn’t decided whether to attend college in the fall or turn professional. All of which makes her accomplishments on the tennis court and in the classroom even more impressive. Where did she find time to study?

“Tennis never interfered with school,” said Mall, who in the summer sustained a shoulder injury that threatened to undermine her season. “I moved here from Illinois (Libertyville) in the middle of my freshman year. I was taking classes there as a freshman people here take as a sophomore.”

But now, Mall figures it is time to move on. She will begin her post-high school competition phase Dec. 18 at The Forum in an exhibition match against Ditta Huber of La Jolla, who is ranked sixth nationally in the under-16s by the USTA. They’ll play on the undercard of the Pete Sampras-Michael Chang match.

Mall leaves high school tennis with fond memories--and a title.

“I had a lot of fun,” she said. “The team did well while I was here.”

TIMES ALL-COUNTY GIRLS’ TENNIS FIRST TEAM Singles Player: Anne Mall Yr.: Jr. School: Dana Hills Comment: Only player to beat Phebus this season Player: Keri Phebus Yr.: Jr. School: Corona del Mar Comment: Retires from high school tennis at 117-4 Player: Lisa Alipaz Yr.: Sr. School: Canyon Comment: Made it to section round of 16 in singles Doubles Player: Heather Bolton Yr.: Sr. Player: Anna Zaricki Yr.: So. School: Dana Hills Comment: Southern Section runners-up in doubles Player: Courtney Strauss Yr.: Sr. Player: Michelle McFarland Yr.: Sr. School: Corona del Mar Comment: Won Sea View League title Player: Alison Light Yr.: Jr. Player: Lisa Shulga Yr.: Jr. School: Capistrano Valley Comment: Came on strong at season’s end SECOND TEAM Singles Player: Nicole Elliott Yr.: Jr. School: Dana Hills Comment: Perhaps Mall’s heir apparent Player: Erika Asmuss Yr.: So. School: Mater Dei Comment: Was 50-1 for the year Player: Cindy Kuragami Yr.: Sr. School: Savanna Comment: Never lost an Orange League match Doubles Player: Christy McClintock Yr.: Sr. Player: Jackie O’Leary Yr.: Sr. School: Corona del Mar Comment: Advanced to final round of 16 Player: Marissa Mell Yr.: Sr. Player: Nora Kapche Yr.: So. School: Fountain Valley Comment: Was the Sunset League champion Player: Erin Johnson Yr.: Sr. Player: Marlies Orchowski Yr.: Sr. School: Laguna Beach Comment: Pacific Coast League’s top team Honorable mention: Singles--Page Bartelt (Capistrano Valley), Laura Brun (Los Alamitos), Rachel Buenviaje (Brea-Olinda), Mara Colaizzi (Newport Harbor), Joyce Cruz (Rosary), Noriko Hopkins (Laguna Hills), Loraine Lau (Fullerton), Amanda Parson (Foothill), Molly Romm (Estancia), Renee Urricariet (Fountain Valley); Doubles--Karen Falconer-Robin Takabayashi (Foothill), Stefanie Springosky-Meredith Valt (Los Alamitos), Tamie Hanson-Tempa Rainey (El Dorado), Heidi Garmon-Tiffaney Brown (Santa Margarita), Chyra Redman-Hilary Carlson (Sunny Hills), Stacey Taylor-Andrea Clays (Foothill), Trisha Abe-Kim Conter (Mater Dei).