Former Tar wins in desert

Second-seeded Natalie Braverman, a Newport Harbor High graduate and

sophomore at Pepperdine University, capped a sparkling run with a

6-2, 7-5 victory over Kelly Baritot, from the University of Texas to

win the Women’s Fall Desert Collegiate Classic tennis tournament

Sunday at the Desert Princess Country Club in Palm Springs.

Braverman, a two-time Sea View League individual champion who went

43-5 in her Newport career, didn’t lose a set in winning four matches

in the 32-player field that included players from schools such as

UCLA, USC, Texas, the University of Arizona and Baylor University.

Braverman also teamed with Pepperdine teammate Merve Asimgil to

reach the semifinals in the doubles draw before being upset, 8-2, by

a USC team of Carine Vermuelen and Dianne Matias.