A big day for girls

This just in, Newport-Mesa has good tennis players when it comes to high school girls’ tennis.

Just how good?

Well, the Corona del Mar, Newport Harbor and Sage Hill girls’ tennis teams are all playing in today’s CIF Southern Section semifinals in their respective divisions.

CdM (18-5) will play at top-seeded Campbell Hall of North Hollywood in a Division I semifinal.

Top-seeded Newport Harbor (20-2) will host Arcadia in a Division II semifinal.

And Sage Hill (15-6) will host top-seeded West Ranch of Valencia in a Division III semifinal at The Tennis Club Newport Beach. All matches are scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.

The Sea Kings, the Pacific Coast League runner-up, scored an impressive 12-6 win over Peninsula Tuesday at CdM. Peninsula had beaten CdM, 13-5, in a nonleague match Sept. 28. But it was a much different story in Newport Beach.

The Sea Kings, led by Lynda Xepoleas, are hoping to turn the tables once again against Campbell Hall, the defending Division I champion.

The Vikings beat CdM, 14-4, Sept. 23. CdM is playing in its 12 straight semifinal match.

Newport Harbor, the Sunset League champion, is also seeking revenge. The Sailors lost to Arcadia in the second round last year. With strong doubles play, led by Ricki Archie and Christina Young, Newport Harbor should have the advantage, especially playing at home.

Newport Harbor reached the semifinals with a 16-2 victory over Valencia Tuesday.

The Sailors are seeking their first CIF Southern Section title. They have reached the section final five times and have come away as runner-up each time, the last time in 2001 in Division II.

Sage Hill scored a breakthrough win Tuesday, beating host San Luis Obispo, 11-7.

The Lightning has had success, but this is their first year in Division III, after leaving Division IV.

Against West Ranch, Sage Hill will be playing in the semifinals for the eighth time in the past nine years.

The Lighnting are also strong in doubles, and usually have No. 1 team Katie Bick and Rian Billingsley leading the way.

Winners of today’s matches advance to the CIF team finals, Monday at The Claremont Club.