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Sports

Pali High's Racquets Collar Cats

The Dolphins drop just two games in a 7-0 rout of University.

It might have been subliminal in nature, but the girls tennis team sent a message to future opponents with Monday's 7-0 wipeout of University: these Dolphins are too deep, too talented and too determined.  

Coach Sean Passan gave three of his freshmen reserves an opportunity to gain varsity experience and the result was no different than it would've been if the Dolphins had all of their best players in the lineup. In fact, Palisades dropped only two games in seven pro sets on its home courts at the Palisades Recreation Center.

"It shows how deep we are when I can put ninth-graders at No. 4 singles and No. 3 doubles and they can beat older players so easily," Passan said. "That's why Palisades stays good--we work as a team year-round to build our program."

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Older brothers Joe and Robert showed up to watch a little of Diana Silvers' set at No. 1 singles and the freshman dispatched Wildcats sophomore Amira Heath 8-0. Sophomore Katie Vincent played No. 2 singles for Palisades and beat University senior Najjiya Coussey 8-1.

"She's the nicest girl I've played," Vincent said of her opponent. "Even though she was losing badly she was fair on the line calls and she was complimenting all of my shots. She was really sweet."

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Vincent played No. 4 singles in the Dolphins' surprising 4-3 loss to El Camino Real in the semifinals of the City Section playoffs last fall, doesn't foresee such a scenario unfolding this season.

"We're a way stronger team now," said Vincent, who grew up practicing at the Rec Center and whose younger siblings Derek and Caroline also play tennis. "We have freshmen who have lots of raw talent and we have a better set up. Last year, we were weaker at certain positions but this year it's a smooth slope all the way down. There's no drop off."

Vincent, who won her first junior tournament in Palm Springs when she was but a seventh-grader at , said her dad has entered her in some USTA events in the near future and she hopes to boost her 16s ranking.

Asked to name the strengths of her game, Vincent cited her serve and her mental toughness: "Serving is very important because it lets you dictate a point right from the start. And I like to stay in control of my emotions and think about where I should be hitting the ball. One-sided matches like this allow me to work on all of my shots."

Playing No. 3 singles for Palisades was Jessie Corneli, who needed four deuces to break fellow senior Ellaine Mallari in the opening game before rolling to an easy 8-0 victory.

Perhaps comforted by playing on the court next to Corneli, her "big sister" on the team, ninth-grader Honour Norman made short work of University senior Adrianna Brown 8-0 at No. 4 singles.

"It's a good problem to have," Passan said of the Dolphins' depth. "What I like is that everyone can get some varsity experience, which not only helps us now, but in the future since players improve at a faster rate the more they play at a higher level."

Palisades won just as convincingly on the doubles side. The Dolphins' top duo of Perri Zaret and Julie Takakjian won 8-0 to stay undefeated this season. Not only have the two won all seven of their sets together, they have taken 50 of 53 games in the process. 

Emily Wettleson and Melody Wilkenfeld won 8-1 at No. 2 doubles and two freshmen, Katie Scholl and Ann Tanaka, blanked Wildcats seniors Ara Choi and Katherine Robles at the No. 3 spot.

"I told my girls to stay in the point, do their best no matter what and have fun because it's pointless if you don't have fun," University's second-year coach Natalie Malouf said. "I haven't seen all the other teams in the City, but we only got two games off them, so I'd say Palisades has a real good chance this year."

Last Friday's home match against Fairfax was postponed due to rain and a makeup date has yet to be determined. Weather permitting, Palisades will continue league competition Wednesday afternoon at Fairfax, then return home Friday to play Westchester at the Rec Center.

MATCH SUMMARY

Palisades 7, University 0

SINGLES

(1) Diana Silvers, Palisades, d. Amira Heath, 8-0.

(2) Katie Vincent, Palisades, d. Najjiya Coussey, 8-1.

(3) Jessie Corneli, Palisades, d. Ellaine Mallari, 8-0.

(4) Honour Norman, Palisades, d. Adrianna Brown, 8-0.

DOUBLES

(1) Julie Takakjian-Perri Zaret, Palisades, d. Clara Fu-Monet Maeda, 8-0.

(2) Emily Wettleson-Melody Wilkenfeld, Palisades, d. Lillian Lee-Robin Willis, 8-1.

(3) Katie Scholl-Ann Tanaka, Palisades, d. Ara Choi-Katherine Robles, 8-0.

Records: University 2-5, 1-4; Palisades 5-0-1, 4-0.

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