Godbey Helps Sailors Find Winning Course

Newport Harbor High School sits in the middle of one of the more fanatical tennis communities in Southern California, but Vanessa Godbey knew the Newport Harbor girls’ team was still looking for a little name recognition.

Godbey had been a part of three playoff teams, but it seemed Corona del Mar, Woodbridge, Laguna Beach, Villa Park and Palos Verdes Peninsula always grabbed all the attention.

But that changed two weeks ago when Newport Harbor became the first team to beat Peninsula in a girls’ tennis match. The Sailors toppled Peninsula, 13-5, ending a 120-match winning streak.

“I don’t really think it was that big of a surprise to us,” Godbey said. “We knew we had a good team, but I think it was a huge surprise to a lot of other people who didn’t know much about us.”

Godbey has surprised a few people too. In fact, her rise has nearly mirrored Newport Harbor’s.

She began her high school career as a doubles player because she wasn’t good enough to break into the Sailors’ singles lineup. For the next three years, Godbey’s success came mostly with a partner.

She reached the Southern Section individual doubles quarterfinals as a freshman with Lindsay Olson. Last year as a junior, Godbey and Katie Canright advanced to the doubles semifinals.

But this summer Godbey worked on her singles game with her private coach, Phil Dent, and suddenly no one is talking about her doubles play anymore. As Newport Harbor’s No. 1 singles player, Godbey has won 26 of 27 sets, losing only to Mater Dei freshman phenom Melissa Esmero, 6-4.

Godbey’s success has helped the Sailors get off to a 10-0 start.

“I worked on my serve a lot,” she said. “That’s never been the strongest part of my game. I also worked on being more aggressive. I’ve been too safe in the past and I had a hard time getting away from the baseline.”

Newport Harbor Coach Fletcher Olson said she has seen a new Godbey this season.

“She’s developed an all-court game rather than just a baseline game,” Olson said. “She’s also more aware of her opponents’ weaknesses and she’s learned how to move the ball around a lot more.”

Godbey, a co-captain along with Canright, said she also has learned to become more of a team leader.

“When I was a freshman, I didn’t know anything,” she said. “I looked up to the seniors. So that’s what I’ve tried to do this season. I want to try and set an example for some of the younger players.”

Now that the hysteria surrounding the Peninsula upset is fading, Godbey said she is reminding her teammates that they have only accomplished one of their goals.

“Just because we beat Peninsula, that doesn’t mean we’re No. 1 or anything,” Godbey said. “We have to put that behind us. There’s still a lot of other good teams out there.”

Two of those other good teams--Woodbridge and Corona del Mar--are on Newport Harbor’s docket next week. Newport Harbor hosts Corona del Mar Tuesday and travels to Woodbridge next Thursday.

For now, Godbey has her mind on neighborhood rival Corona del Mar.

“Against Peninsula, we really didn’t feel much pressure because we weren’t supposed to win,” Godbey said. “But Corona del Mar is different. There is some pressure there because we know each other so well. We’ve grown up playing them and we know there will be about 200 people watching.”