Woodbridge Rallies to Beat Sea Kings in Tennis
With the match on the line, Woodbridge’s Natalie Mitton and Aylin Algan rallied from a 3-1 deficit to defeat Corona del Mar’s Robyn Coleman and Jenny Meyer, 7-5, as the third-ranked Warriors handed the top-ranked Sea Kings their first loss of the season, 10-8, in girls’ tennis Wednesday at Woodbridge.
The Sea View League match, which began Tuesday but was suspended because of darkness, concluded Wednesday with the final three doubles sets. Corona del Mar (15-1, 7-1) led the Warriors, 8-7, and was ahead on games, 69-56, at the end of Tuesday’s play. Woodbridge (14-3, 7-1) needed a sweep for the victory.
“The girls knew they would have to be mentally tough today,” Woodbridge Coach Joan Willett said. “Mitton and Algan were very steady. They came back right away and tied the score. We ended up winning eight of nine doubles. They all played really strong.”
Mitton and Algan quickly won the first three games to take a 4-3 lead. Coleman and Meyer tied the set, 4-4, but Mitton and Algan held on for the victory, moving Woodbridge into a tie with the Sea Kings for the league title.
Adriana Hockicko and Natasha Toto were up 3-0 to begin their match and easily won, 6-1. In the other doubles match, Michelle Stiefel and Danielle Hustedt came in tied 3-3 and went on to a 6-4 victory.
In Century League water polo:
No. 2 Foothill 17, Canyon 3--Matt McPherson scored five goals and Eitan Goldstein added four in the victory for Foothill (15-4, 4-0). Canyon is 11-10, 1-2.
No. 8 Villa Park 22, Santa Ana Valley 8--Seniors Kyle Baumgarner scored eight goals and Nick Pacelli added seven to lead the Spartans (15-8, 4-0).
In the Empire League:
Cypress 12, Loara 6--Donnie Hoffman scored four goals to lead Cypress (10-9, 3-1), which took a 6-2 halftime lead. Loara is 12-7, 2-2.
In the Freeway League:
La Habra 12, Sonora 4--Nathan Allard and Gared Powell scored four goals each to lead La Habra (4-0 in league).
In the Golden West League:
Santa Ana 10, Ocean View 6--Ivan Hernandez and Fernando Jimenez scored four goals each for Santa Ana (9-9, 1-3).
In the Sea View League:
No. 3 Newport Harbor 10, Irvine 2--Kevin Becker had three goals and Jon Pharris made seven saves for Newport Harbor (14-5, 4-0).
In the South Coast League:
No. 6 Capistrano Valley 10, No. 4 San Clemente 9 (sudden death)--After three overtime periods, Pat McConnell hit a back-handed shot to win the game. The Cougars’ victory clinches the South Coast League title.
In the Sunset League:
No. 1 Los Alamitos 13, Marina 6--Two-meter man Tyler Wawrzynski scored four goals and teammate David Kong added three to lead league leader Los Alamitos (19-4, 4-0).
Esperanza 13, Huntington Beach 8--Garrett Cobb scored four goals and goalkeeper Lance Onken had 12 saves for Esperanza (14-7, 3-1).
In nonleague:
Mater Dei 12, Los Amigos 7--Sophomore Danny Ciecek scored four goals and freshman Ryan Cook had three for the Monarchs (13-8, 1-2).
In Empire League boys’ cross-country:
No. 2 Katella 19, Loara 44--Danny Mejia of Katella outran Loara’s Juan Herrera to win in a time of 15:43 over the three-mile course at Katella High. It was Herrera’s only league loss of the season. Katella (5-0) finishes undefeated in league for the eighth consecutive season.
In Empire League girls’ cross-country:
Katella 15, Loara 40--Katella’s (5-0) Jill Santibanez finished first in 18:58 to lead the Knights over Loara (2-3) at Katella High’s three-mile course. It marked the fourth consecutive year Katella finished undefeated in the Empire League.