CLOSE-UP : Semifinals Offer Double Message to Chatsworth Girls

For Kim Christianson and Marcy Linsky of Chatsworth High, the girls City Section tennis tournament served as a learning experience.

After playing most of the season as the Chancellors’ No. 2 and No. 3 singles players, Christianson, a junior, and Linsky, a sophomore, teamed up to finish third in doubles play at the City Section championships at the Racquet Centre in Studio City last Friday. They lost to Cindy Corrales and Jennifer Norian of Palisades in the semifinals, 6-0, 3-6, 6-2.

Christianson, who had played very little in doubles competition prior to the tournament, said that she made several adjustments.

“Doubles is a totally different game than singles,” she said. “The court is wider, you serve from a different angle and you have to be aware of where your partner is at all times.”

Despite their lack of experience in doubles play, Chatsworth Coach Steve Berk wasn’t surprised by their success.

“They’re pretty good friends off the court so I figured they’d play well together as a team,” Berk said.

Linsky agreed, saying, “If I made a mistake I knew that Kim wouldn’t get down on me. I knew she’d encourage me to keep going.

“I think the experience we gained this year will really help next year. I don’t think we’ll be as nervous and that will allow us to play better.”

Said Berk: “They were tied 2-2 in the third set of the semifinals with the eventual City champions but kind of lost their composure after that. I don’t think they had ever been exposed to that type of pressure before. With the experience they gained this year, they could win the City title next year.”