Rietsch captures crown

In her first year wearing a Laguna Beach High uniform, Claire

Rietsch is also wearing the title of Pacific Coast League girls’

tennis singles champion.

The freshman said she was at ease when she took on Aimee Kim, a

seasoned University senior, in the singles final held last Thursday

at Northwood High in Irvine.

Rietsch, 14, rose to the occasion with a 6-1, 6-4 victory to

become the first freshman in five years to capture the PCL singles

crown.

“It’s an outstanding accomplishment any time a freshman wins the

league title. Claire has worked very hard and has improved throughout

the season. She’s very deserving of this,” Laguna Beach coach Brian

Ricker said.

The win marked the second time in four days that Rietsch bumped

off Kim. She beat her rival, and the Breakers defeated University, in

the final PCL match of the regular season.

That win earned Rietsch the No. 1 seed heading into the PCL

singles tournament.

Kim, a nationally-ranked player in the 18s, was the No. 2 seed.

“I felt really good going into the match, really feeling like I

had nothing to lose,” Rietsch said. “I felt confident having just

beat her on Monday, and that gave me a boost.”