Newcomer Shows Her Strength

Energized by the impeccable play of newcomer Brittany Reitz, top-ranked Corona del Mar rolled over second-ranked Dana Hills, 13-5, Wednesday in a nonleague’ girls tennis match at Corona del Mar.

Reitz, a junior transfer from St. Margaret’s who didn’t become eligible until Monday, won her three sets over Kady Pooler, Chelsy Thompson and Adrianna Maracini without dropping a game.

“It’s not too bad of a start,” Reitz said. “I’m just happy I can play for Corona del Mar. I just wanted to come out here and play my best and have fun.”

Said Corona del Mar Coach Andy Stewart: “I knew she was good and I expected her to win, but I didn’t expect her to go 0, 0 and 0 against a team like Dana Hills. They’ve got some good singles players.”

Without Reitz, the Sea Kings (14-2) were a good team. Now they have a chance to be a great team.

“She makes a huge difference,” Thompson said. “They’re very tough now. I was surprised to see her start out so well. I know I didn’t expect to lose 6-0.”

Reitz, who only lost one game Tuesday against Laguna Beach, didn’t play a flashy game, but she was steady. Against Pooler, a serve-and-volleyer, she kept the ball low on her returns and went on the offensive whenever Pooler hit a short ball.

“She played No. 2 for them today, but that’s a pretty good No. 2 singles player,” Thompson said.

Thompson scored the Dolphins’ only singles victory of the day, beating No. 3 Kimmy Singer, 6-1. Pooler, the Dolphins’ No. 1 player, had an off day, also losing to Anne Yelsey, 7-5, and Singer, 6-4.

Dana Hills’ doubles team kept it close through two rounds, winning four of its first six sets. The Dolphins’ No. 2 team of Lauren Calton and Kristen Wilson won two sets and the teams of Catie Reames and Kristin Bronowicki and Amanda Pazornik and Chip Dunbar each won a set.

Corona del Mar got a sweep from its No. 1 team of Brittany Holland and Leslie Damion.

“I’m a little disappointed in some of my doubles,” Stewart said. “I don’t know if it’s them or me. Maybe I’m not getting them prepared. But whatever it is, they need to play better against the top teams.”

Although the two teams won’t play again this season, Thompson said she would like a rematch.

“If we played them five times, I think we’d win a few,” she said. “But they proved they were the best team in the county today.”