Vaughan’s Forehand Seals Victory for Corona del Mar

After four hours of long baseline rallies, screaming and nail-biting, Corona del Mar’s Nina Vaughan decided the battle of Newport Beach with a forehand winner that gave the Sea Kings a 10-8 victory Tuesday at Newport Harbor High.

Newport Harbor, which became Orange County’s top-ranked team Tuesday, led Corona del Mar, 8-7, in sets and, 81-70, in games, needing to win only one of three singles sets to clinch the match. But Corona del Mar freshman Caylan Leslie tied it with a 6-2 victory over Newport Harbor senior Katie Canright, and freshman Nadia Vaughan recovered from a 5-4 deficit to win 7-6 (7-1) over senior Vanessa Godbey.

Newport Harbor junior Erica Nelson, who already had upset Leslie and Nadia Vaughan, was on her way to a third as she led Nina Vaughan, 5-4. But Nelson began cramping badly in her legs and was taking at least 30 seconds between points.

Nelson, who was playing No. 3 singles, was a point from winning the set and becoming the hero for Newport Harbor. But Vaughan, a junior, came back to win the next three games by cutting down on her unforced errors.

“It’s hard because I knew all I had to do was hit corner to corner and make her run,” Nina Vaughan said. “But the way I was playing today, that wasn’t the easiest thing to do.”

Vaughan defeated Godbey, her friend and former doubles partner, 7-5, in her first set then played a loose set against Canright and was routed, 6-1.

Newport Harbor’s loss was its first of the season after 11 victories. Third-ranked Corona del Mar, which had been the county’s top-ranked team all season, improved to 11-1 and 3-1 in league. Newport Harbor, which won five of eight doubles sets Tuesday, will play at undefeated and second-ranked Woodbridge on Thursday.