Girls’ Tennis: Surging Sage Hill tops Sailors

A favorite saying of Sage Hill School girls’ tennis coach Cierra Gaytan to her players is to “be brave.”

Gaytan is not just borrowing from “Brave,” the Sara Bareilles song that has turned into a familiar commercial jingle. The first-year coach is mostly concerned with being aggressive on the court and attacking the net, specifically in doubles.

The Lightning have had to be brave this year, in their first year competing in CIF Southern Section Division 1. Yet, they continue to battle, and showed that fight again Wednesday with an impressive victory.

Sage Hill beat Newport Harbor, 13-5, in a nonleague match at the Sailors’ courts.

Sage Hill (8-1), whose only loss was to top-ranked Corona del Mar, is indeed continuing to feel the good vibes. The Lightning also got a bit of revenge after losing a close 10-8 result against the Sailors a year ago.

“I had a lot of fun last year, but I think there’s a lot more energy having a young female coach,” Sage junior Nicole Condas said. “I think that everyone is excited to play, and they’re bringing their ‘A’ game every time to practice. We’re all so motivated this year and dedicated. It’s an honor to play bigger schools and be competitive with these D1 schools.”

Condas swept at No. 1 doubles against Newport Harbor with sophomore Michelle Hung, 6-2, 6-2, 6-1. It’s been a very successful pairing in recent matches for the Lightning.

“One of the differences between us and a lot of doubles players that we’ve been paired with is that we’re more concerned with placement a lot of the time, rather than power,” Condas said. “I think a lot of the time, we’re more focused on strategy and placement rather than just hitting it very aggressively. We enjoy doing trick shots, moving the players around a lot.”

Newport Harbor (5-6) did put up a fight, particularly in the first round. Sage Hill had a 3-1 lead in sets, but there were two close ones still on court late.

The Sailors’ impressive freshman duo of Lauren Lipkowski and Amra Barton came through for a 7-5 win over Sage’s Isabella Deckey and Stephanie Beder at No. 2 doubles. But, at No. 1 singles, Sage junior Maya Byrd rallied for a 7-6 (7-4) win over Newport senior Hannah Blower to give the Lightning a 4-2 sets advantage. Byrd rallied from a 4-2 deficit in the tiebreaker.

The Lightning, who are not ranked in Division 1 but are ranked No. 6 in Orange County by the Register, then won five of six sets in the second round to claim a dominant 9-3 sets advantage. Only Blower could earn a win in the second round, 6-3 over Sage freshman Mia Stauss.

“I think they know that win or lose, I just want them to play the right way by attacking the ball and being aggressive,” Gaytan said. “They played the right way, and Newport Harbor was tough, but my girls just bought into the strategy and they just fought. I’m really proud of them ... I knew it was going to be tough playing Newport Harbor. Their girls brought the energy, they brought the fight, but my girls were able to hang.”

Kayla “Cat” Kiani swept in singles for Sage Hill, and Byrd won twice and Stauss once before they was subbed out. Freshman Karina Grover also picked up a win in the final round. Beder and Deckey won once at No. 2 doubles, and Morgan Mann won twice at No. 3 doubles, one set each with partners Miranda deBruyne and Nataly Shayansmith.

The Newport Harbor doubles teams of Megan Carey and Ally Harano, Lipkowski and Barton, as well as Rachel Davis and Katie Clark, each won once. Singles substitute Riley DeCinces also picked up a victory in the third round.

Newport Harbor tried different things with its lineup Wednesday, putting seniors Eva Newsom and Taryn Anderson in singles. Either way, the Lightning proved to be too deep.

“I really felt like it was great tennis all the way around,” Newport Harbor Coach Kristen Case said. “Everybody competed hard for every set in every round, and it was quality tennis the entire match. It’s always good tennis [against Sage Hill], and as a coach that’s what you want to see.”

The Sailors, who lost a Sunset League match at Los Alamitos, 11-7, on Tuesday, will try to get back in the win column when they visit Edison on Thursday. Newport Harbor is the defending league champion. Tuesday’s match at Fountain Valley also should be key.

Sage Hill also is trying to defend its Academy League championship, and resumes league play Tuesday at Crean Lutheran.