GIRLS’ TENNIS ROUNDUP : Accusations of Cheating Mar Mater Dei Victory

Preseason is supposed to be a time for athletes to prepare for league play and for coaches to adjust their rosters. But in Tuesday’s girls’ tennis match between Edison and Mater Dei at Costa Mesa Racquet Club, things got nasty in the Monarchs’ 13-5 victory.

The tension began with accusations of cheating by Edison players and Coach Amy Beard. In No. 2 singles, the Chargers’ Brooke Lacey accused Sarah Jarrett of making bad calls during Jarrett’s 6-4 victory. Things seemed to settle down after two linesmen from separate schools were called in to watch the lines and the first round ended with the teams tied, 3-3.

In Round 2, Mater Dei took control of the match, winning five of six sets to lead, 8-4. Jarrett again won her set, 6-3, against the Chargers’ No. 1 player Kelly Foster. And again there were complaints.

“It’s one thing to call a close one, but not an obvious one,” Beard said. “I’m really mad about those two sets.”

Mater Dei Coach Sue Harrison didn’t want to get into the controversy.

“This is preseason. We don’t need this going on,” Harrison said. “This is supposed to be fun.”

In the final round, with the victory locked up for Mater Dei, Harrison went on the court during a tie-break situation to encourage her No. 3 doubles team of Lisa Panique and Melissa Walker. Beard than warned Harrison that it was a violation to coach players during a tie-break situation. Harrison said she was just getting them up, not coaching. Panique and Walker won the set, 7-6 (6-1).