October 01, 2004

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Palo Alto Online

Tennis teams are streaking

by Keith Peters

Palo Alto girls' tennis coach Andy Harader knows streaks are short-lived in the SCVAL De Anza Division. There are two reasons for that: Monta Vista and Monta Vista.

Having to face the defending Central Coast Section and NorCal champion Matadors twice during the division season, Harader knows there's usually less than a month between those matches when his team can make headway.

That's exactly what the Vikings have done since losing to Monta Vista on Sept. 14. In fact, heading into yesterday's league match against Los Altos, Paly had put together an impressive six-match winning streak to improve to 2-1 in league and 9-3 overall.

Coinciding with the team's streak has been the six straight victories at No. 1 singles by sophomore Chrissy Hu. She won No. 6 on Wednesday in straight sets during a 5-2 nonleague win over host Mountain View. On Tuesday, Hu was even more impressive as she battled from behind to upend Courtney Hull of Los Gatos, 2-6, 7-6 (7-4), 11-9, to spark the Vikings to a 5-2 triumph.

"Once she saw she could win it, she went after it," Harader said of Hu's comeback. "It was a good win for her."

And for the Paly team, which beat Los Gatos without starters Meghan and Nicole Przybyla and which faces a tough schedule next week with road matches at Saratoga and Monta Vista - considered the No. 2 and No. 1 teams in the division, respectively. The Matadors, by the way, polished off Saratoga this week, 7-0.

If Palo Alto can defeat Los Altos and Saratoga before facing Monta Vista, the Vikings stand a solid chance of improving upon last year's fine 8-4 division record - the best under Harader.

Paly began the season with a big question mark at doubles, but since has been impressive there. The No. 2 tandem of Debbie Lehmann and Allison Heinrich has been very consistent while Maren Pearson and Laura Small have jelled at No. 3. The No. 1 squad has been a revolving door with Elyssa Chandler, Paula Yoffe and Molly Robin among those taking turns there.

Palo Alto isn't the only local tennis team streaking. Sacred Heart Prep and Menlo also have been quietly rolling along this season.

Sacred Heart Prep has won seven straight since opening the West Catholic Athletic League season. The Gators were 5-0 in league and 13-1 overall before hosting Presentation on Thursday. None of the team's victories in league have been close. The Gators opened league play by beating defending champion St. Ignatius by 6-1 and often haven't had to use their strongest lineup that features sophomore Sam Rosekrans at No. 1 and freshman Haley Hemm at No. 2. Perhaps the first big test of the WCAL season will come Tuesday when SHP visits St. Francis at Cuesta Park at 2:45 p.m.

Menlo, meanwhile, has won six straight to open the PAL Bay Division at 6-0 (12-2 overall). The Knights' showdown with unbeaten Aragon on Wednesday has been rescheduled for Oct. 13, but Menlo will be busy this weekend in the San Diego area at Torrey Pines and Westview.

Elsewhere, Pinewood (2-0, 9-4) is rolling in the Private Schools Athletic League behind the play of Stephanie Herrmann, Elizabeth Williamson and Mele Pelea at the top three singles positions. Castilleja posted 6-1 victories over Woodside Priory and Mercy-San Francisco this week to open the West Bay Athletic League at 2-0 (4-3 overall). Anisha Bhalla won twice at No. 1 singles for the Gators.
Cross country

Gunn High senior Tori Tyler produced her second straight sterling effort by winning the girls' race at the annual Central Park Invitational over a 2.3-mile layout in at the Santa Clara park.

Tyler clocked 12:52.8 to win. More importantly, Tyler defeated two-time defending state 1,600 track champion Alicia Follmar of Saratoga. Follmar was second in 13:00. Both Tyler (Division I) and Follmar (Division III) won individual titles last Saturday at the annual Stanford Invitational.

Tyler's winning effort Tuesday helped the Titans finish third (115) behind Los Gatos (70) and Cupertino (78). In the boys' race, Gunn (95) grabbed second and Palo Alto (126) finished third. Herrel Siller Jr. paced the Vikings by finishing second overall in 11:50.1. Garrett Reid finished fifth (12:06.7) to lead the Titans.
Girls volleyball

Castilleja (2-0, 12-1) bounced back from its first loss of the season - last week to host Sacred Heart Cathedral - and beat a very solid Harker team, 25-27, 25-23, 20-25, 25-18, 15-13, to grab the early lead in the WBAL.

Becky Chan dished 61 assists, Ariel Baxterbeck contributed 20 kills and 10 blocks, Katie Given added 14 kills, Chelsea Ono-Horn posted 15 kills and Alissa Flesher had nine blocks.

Palo Alto (3-0, 9-8) remained atop the SCVAL El Camino Division with a 25-23, 25-12, 25-11 sweep of visiting Lynbrook. Katrina Zawojski paced the Vikings with 15 kills.

Menlo (3-0, 5-5) remained tied for the lead in the PAL Bay Division as Sophie Schmidt's 14 kills paced the Knights to a 25-23, 25-11, 23-25, 25-15 win at Burlingame.
Girls water polo

Palo Alto (1-0, 11-3) and Gunn (1-0, 6-3) opened their respective De Anza Division seasons with victories Wednesday. The Vikings got four goals from Phoebe Champion and three each from Tanya Wilcox, Remy Champion and Brittany Webster in a 17-7 swamping of Mountain View. Gunn got four goals from Di Eaton in a 6-3 win over Cupertino. The Titans will visit Paly on Wednesday in the schools' annual showdown.

In the WCAL, Sacred Heart Prep (1-0, 6-2) opened league play with a 15-6 romp over visiting Notre Dame-Belmont as Kimi Stephens led the way with three goals.

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