Walters, CdM prevail

CORONA DEL MAR -- In a match without two spotlight players for two

Orange County high school girls tennis powers, future stars had the

opportunity to shine.

Ali Walters seized the moment and won all three of her sets

against defending CIF Southern Section Division II champion Troy

High, and helped lead host Corona del Mar to a 10-8 nonleague victory

Thursday.

Corona del Mar junior Jill Damion is out indefinitely with a

shoulder injury and Troy’s Cosmina Ciobanu was on collegiate

recruiting trips.

After defeating Ali Ramos, 6-4, in her opening set, Walters

dispensed of two Warrior freshmen, 6-1, 6-3.

“Ali had her biggest win in her high school career up to this

point,” Sea Kings Coach Brian Ricker said. “Ramos is ranked [No. 15

in USTA 18s]. I am anticipating a very good year for Ali.”

In doubles, the freshmen duo of Danielle Kaiden and Lindsay

Zotovich impressed the crowd, winning their first two matches, 6-2,

6-2, before falling to Troy’s No. 1 pair, 6-1. Kaiden and Zotovich

are now 5-2.

“They had a great day,” Ricker said. “They play smart and they

don’t get flustered.”

The match was in doubt with CdM and Troy tied at eight games

apiece. But the Sea Kings gained an advantage when Walters and CdM’s

No. 2 singles player, Rachael Miller, faced two untested Troy

freshmen.

Walters dispensed of Nyna Vyvas, 6-1, to give CdM a 9-8 lead, as

attention shifted to Miller’s match with Frances Tseng.

As Miller advanced to a 5-1 lead over the freshman, it appeared

the victory was in the bag. However, Tseng rallied to 5-4 before

Miller won her sixth game. After the Troy forehand fell softly past

the baseline, the Sea Kings could celebrate.

“It was a good match,” Ricker said. “It’s good to have an early

season victory over a team like Troy. This was a match that allows us

to see where we stand.”

Nonleague

Corona del Mar 10,

Troy 8

Singles -- Walters (CdM) def. Ramos, 6-4, def. Vyaz, 6-1, def.

Tseng, 6-3; Miller (CdM) lost, 6-2, won, 6-2, 6-4; Norman (CdM) lost,

6-1, sub Lee (CdM) won, 6-4, lost, 7-6.

Doubles -- H. Young-M.Young lost to Nadres-Villijuan, 7-6, def.

Geiss-Hui, 6-1, def. Liao-Kang, 6-4; Atkins-McKitterick (CdM) lost

6-1, 6-2, 6-1; Kaiden-Zotovich (CdM) lost, 6-1, won, 6-2, 6-2.