Los Alamitos humbles Tars

Newport Harbor High’s girls tennis team fell, 11-7, in nonleague play

to one of Orange County’s best tennis squads, Los Alamitos. The

Sailors lost five of six sets in the opening round, and could not

overcome the deficit.

“I was impressed with our girls,” said Sailor Coach Fletcher

Olson. “After we dropped far behind in the first set, the girls

really turned it around in the second and third sets.”

Newport won five of nine doubles sets. Melissa Chinn and Alex

McIntosh had the most impressive match, rallying from 4-5 to a 7-5

victory in their opening match. Chinn and McIntosh finished the day

with two wins.

Carly Adams and Megan McKay were swept in their opening set, but

won their next two with scores of 6-4.

Seniors Brittany Sturgess and Jill Casserly each contributed a

singles set victory, both defeating Grace Lee.

The most frustrating set for the Sailors had to be the last set of

the match. Sasha Dunlap and Chrissy Schwartz were leading, 4-1, over

Los Al’s No. 1 team of Katie Moore and Jocelyn Liu. Liu and Moore

were able to rally to win 7-5 to go undefeated on the day.

No. 3 singles player Natalie Small was forced to retire early in

her third match. The freshman appeared to strain her back. She was

down 4-0 when she retired.

“We played a good match, Los Al has a very good team,” said Olson.

The Sailors (4-1) will face Troy today, and Laguna Beach Thursday.

Both matches will be at Newport Harbor High.