Dana Hills Grabs Another Title

Capistrano Valley used every tactic it could to try to wrestle the South Coast League girls’ tennis title away from Dana Hills. The Cougars moved up the match two days, displayed a “We’re Cocky” sign that mocked a newspaper quotation from a Dana Hills player and juggled the order of their singles and doubles lineup.

But nothing worked. Fifth-ranked Capistrano Valley was beaten as soundly as it was two weeks ago by fourth-ranked Dana Hills, which won, 12-6, Wednesday. With the victory, the visiting Dolphins (17-2, 8-0) clinched their ninth league title in 10 years.

“We had hoped that this was the year,” said Cougar senior Leigh Ann Merryman, who did her part by sweeping her three singles sets, 6-2, 6-2, 6-2. “But they’re just so strong. It’s disappointing.”

In the previous meeting, Dana Hills’ No. 1 singles player led the way by winning all of three of her sets. But Wednesday, Kate Romm was off her game as she lost her opening set, 7-5, to Capistrano Valley freshman Carolyn Mitchell, who normally plays No. 3 singles. Mitchell’s victory squared the match at 3-3, but Capistrano Valley went downhill from there.

The Cougars lost four of six sets in the next round and five of six in the last round. Chelsy Thompson, who won two of three sets at No. 2 singles, said the key was withstanding Capistrano Valley’s fast start.

“They were really pumped up, but we weren’t letting all the signs and the cheering get to us,” Thompson said. “We pulled through for each other like we have all season.”

The more experienced Cougars were the higher-ranked team in the preseason and for much of the season, but Dana Hills Coach Jim Wilson said he tuned all that out.

“I don’t get into the rankings,” he said. “We’ve made an effort to deal with what’s going on in the moment. It’s really been a team effort and that’s pretty unusual these days in tennis.”

Thompson, who played mostly doubles last year, admitted she glanced at the preseason rankings.

“I think we have surprised ourselves,” she said. “I think we were really worried about Capo this year. But we came through again.”

No one came through any better Wednesday than Dana Hills’ No. 1 doubles team. The sophomore tandem of Catie Reames and Lauren Calton gave the Dolphins their only sweep by winning, 6-0, 6-3 and 6-2.

The Dolphins’ doubles teams took seven of nine sets as Danielle Borish and Kristin Wilson won two of three at the No. 2 spot and Jenny Dubow and Kristin Bromwicki won two at No. 3 doubles.

Freshman Katy Pooler also took two of three at No. 3 singles. Romm lost two of her three sets, dropping her record this season to 48-9.