Sixth Title in a Row for Palos Verdes Peninsula

The whispers in the girls’ high school tennis community said that this was the year five-time Southern Section Division I champion Palos Verdes Peninsula would fall and a new champion would be crowned.

Well, maybe next year.

The Panthers won eight of nine doubles sets as they defeated Newport Harbor, 13-5, Tuesday at the Claremont Club for their sixth consecutive title.

Earlier in the season, Newport Harbor (17-3) ended Peninsula’s 120-match win streak with a 13-5 nonleague victory. The Panthers (18-3) lost twice more, fueling speculation their reign would end.

“This was by far the most in doubt it’s been for us during the streak,” Peninsula Coach Jim Hanson said. “In the past, we’ve had by far too good a team to lose. This year we didn’t have the firepower we had in the past. [This year’s] girls weren’t physically as good, but they played as tough as any team we’ve had.”

The No. 2 doubles team of Caitlin Blashaw and Cheyne Ursich swept its three sets, as did the No. 3 team of Becky Rajfer and Tracy Popeny. In singles, Hanna Miller and Nickole Kabe each won two of three sets.

“We lost to a very good team,” Newport Harbor Coach Cari Olson said. “It’s never disheartening when you lose to Peninsula.”

The Division II and III finals both ended tied at 9-9 and were decided by the number of games won. Palm Desert squeaked by Dana Hills, 75-72, in Division II and Irvine Woodbridge edged Westlake, 88-74, in Division III.

Rosary won seven doubles sets in its 10-8 victory over Chaminade in the Division IV final and defending champion Brentwood cruised to a 12-6 victory over Cate for the Division V title.