Photo Doug Kohen

The Lamorinda high school girls' tennis teams are starting DFAL conference play. Campolindo is enjoying a 3-0 run in the DFAL and are 6-1-1 overall. Miramonte has split its out-of-league record but also remains undefeated in league play with a 5-3 overall record. The Lady Dons have played the fewest matches of the Lamorinda programs and have recorded one league win for a 2-3 record overall.

On Thursday, September 15th, in the second match of conference play, two Lamorinda schools were pitted against each other when Acalanes hosted Campolindo. The Lady Dons' top two singles players - sophomore Tessa Karagocev and junior Ida Barabi - both pulled out wins, but Campo took the rest of the matches to finish the day 7-2.

The #1 singles match between Karaocev and Campo's senior captain Natalie Korich was a slug-fest from the beginning as the two blasted ground strokes back and forth. It was almost exclusively a baseline match with equally lethal forehands and backhands from both players as they drove deep hard shots into the corners. In the end, Karacev hit more winners and made fewer errors to take the match, 6-3, 6-3.

The #2 singles match between Barabi and Campo junior Miranda Hill saw longer rallies and a larger variety of shots, and the pair battled to the end. After nabbing the first set 7-6 in a 7-4 tiebreaker, Hill gave up the second set 4-6. In the end, Barabi emerged victorious winning a 10 point super tie breaker played in lieu of a third set. After trading the lead several times and fighting to win by two points, the tiebreaker finally ended at 13-11.

At the close of the match, Acalanes head coach Brad Reiser said, "They brought out the best in each other. You hate to see either one lose."

At 0-2 this season, with only four returning players, Acalanes is in the process of rebuilding. "We have no expectations other than primarily to gain experience and make the concerted effort to improve both individually and as a team on a daily basis. With so many new faces on the team we are still finding our true identity," Reiser said.

Like Acalanes, Miramonte also graduated many seniors last year and is only returning four varsity players but are competing at a higher level, with a 5-3 overall record.

Campo, on the other hand, is largely composed of experienced upperclassmen. Head coach Steve Robinson attributed their success to their depth. "We don't fall off a cliff after (our) #1 (player)."

Despite its young talent, Robinson still sees Miramonte as a threat. "Miramonte has always been tough...our biggest rival in the conference," he said.

While the Lady Mats enjoyed three wins against the Cougars last year, Miramonte coach Mike McCollom hinted at the potential for an upset.

"This year we are going to have to show up and play our best tennis at each position to have a chance to get a team win. Our rivalry with Campo will be the same as usual, spirited and competitive. I know that the Miramonte girls will come out and give each opponent their very best and that we will continue the great tradition of success we are known for."

Campo will host Miramonte on Tuesday, October 4th in their first meeting of the season.

9/15 Match results

Singles:

Karagocev (A) d. Korich 6-3, 6-3;

Barabi (A) d. Hill 6-7(7-4), 6-4 (13-11);

McCue (C) d. Koyake 6-2, 6-0;

Stone (C) d. Chow 6-2, 6-0;

Faulkner (C) d. T. Barabi 6-1, 6-1;

Buberts (C) d. Bittner 6-0, 6-0.

Doubles:

Perella/Pines (C) d. Chen/Bauer 6-2, 6-3;

Kelley/Cunningham (C) d. Yang/Liu 6-1, 6-1;

Eyl/Li (C) d. Bishop/Zucker 6-4, 6-0



Records:

Acalanes:

1-2 in DFAL; 2-3 overall as of 9/22

Campolindo:

3-0 in DFAL; 6-1-1 overall as of 9/22

Miramonte:

2-0 in DFAL; 5-3 overall as of 9/15