CdM masters Monarchs in opener

CORONA DEL MAR — Everything came together for the Corona del Mar High girls’ tennis team in its opener against Mater Dei on Thursday.

The scary thing was, it wasn’t totally unexpected.

The Sea Kings, with a mix of veteran seniors and talented newcomers, shut out the visiting Monarchs, 18-0.

“We have an amazing team, we really do,” said senior Jill Damion, who missed most of last season with a torn rotator cuff. “It’s fun to be back. I was excited to play, and I wanted to play all three [individual sets].”

Sophomore newcomer Cierra Gaytan-Leach, easily won her three sets in her CdM debut. She did not play high school tennis last year.

At No. 3 singles, freshman Hailey Hogan won two sets, one via tiebreaker, before senior Michelle Atkins subbed in for the final set.

It’s that kind of depth that has CdM Coach Brian Ricker very optimistic.

“It was exciting to see all of the newcomers step up and have good days,” Ricker said. “But our goal is not to beat everybody, 18-0. We want to put players in. That’s one of our biggest priorities this year, to make sure everyone has a positive experience.”

Nonleague

Corona del Mar 18, Mater Dei 0

Singles -- Damion (CdM) def S. Noebel, 6-1, def A. Noebel, 6-1, def. Bullock, 6-1; Gaytan-Leach (CdM) won, 6-0, 6-0, 6-2; (sub) Atkins (CdM) won, 6-3, Hogan (CdM) won, 6-0, 7-6.

Doubles -- H. Young-M.Young (CdM) def. Murphy-Van’t Hof 6-4, def. Barquin-Ghassemi 6-0, def. Kawabe-Chomeau 6-0; Matsuoka-Zotovich (CdM) won, 6-2, 6-1, (sub) Ishii-McKitterick (CdM) won, 6-0; Lee-Kaiden (CdM) won, 6-3, 6-1, 6-2.