Barte Chosen Times’ Tennis Player of Year

Hilary Barte, a junior from North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake, has been selected The Times’ girls’ tennis player of the year.

She dropped only one of 43 sets this season and won the Southern Section individual tournament championship by defeating 2004 champion Maggie Mello of Mission Viejo, 7-5, 7-5. Barte has a combined record of 84-4 in the last two seasons.

Barte wouldn’t have won the title had it not been for an incredible comeback in the semifinals against Cosmina Ciobanu of Fullerton Troy. Barte was down a set and trailing, 5-0, in the second when she rallied for a stunning 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 victory.

“That wasn’t just a comeback. It was coming back and just overwhelming your opponent, with style,” Coach Chris Simpson said. “I can’t think of too many people who could’ve pulled it off.”

Football

Florida made itself at home in the rain during the seventh CaliFlorida Bowl at Cal State Fullerton, taking advantage of numerous California turnovers to register a 21-0 victory.

Tim Tebow of St. Augustine Nease threw a touchdown pass to Tony Wilson of Daytona Mainland and ran for a one-yard score. Dustin Doe of Jasper Suwannee scooped up a fumbled snap late in the first half and returned it 64 yards for a score. Tebow’s conversion run made it 14-0 at halftime.