Camarillo, Westlake Exchange Volleys On and Off The Court

Accusations of foul play flew through the air at North Ranch Country Club on Thursday more frequently than tennis balls. And so much bad-mouthing took place that the girls on the Camarillo and Westlake High tennis teams should have been ashamed to say “love.”

Camarillo won the match, 11-7, to gain the early advantage in the Marmonte League. The Scorpions (6-1, 4-0 in league) and the Warriors (4-1, 3-1) combined have won 13 of the last 14 league titles.

After a relatively calm first rotation, Westlake No. 2 player Erin Smith and Camarillo No. 1 Darian Chappell played a match that turned the attention away from tennis.

The two produced some intense and exciting points, but Chappell’s incessant complaints about Smith’s line calls turned Smith’s 6-4 upset ugly. At one point, Chappell responded to a close call by yelling across the court: “How can you live with yourself calling that out?”

“They’re not fair players, I’ll just say it,” Chappell said. “I don’t think anyone in my position would not say something.”

But Smith, who said she has had problems with Chappell in the past, says Chappell was just mad because she was losing.

“Everyone has problems with her,” Smith said. “She was calling me a liar and a cheater. But I’m a good player and I call a fair match.”

Several more arguments occurred in later matches and members from both teams accused each other of purposely hitting at their opponents.

Westlake Coach Connie Flanderka intends to file a motion with the league because she said she saw Camarillo players receiving advice from parents, which is illegal, during the match. She also wants USTA officials to govern their rematch October 29.

“It’s a shame that two teams that are so competitive hate each other so much,” Smith said.