11.11.2021 – During the first sets of Thursday’s CCS quarterfinals match, Menlo School coach Bill Shine looked around and saw the Knights had a commanding lead, a good sign of what was to come.

“Now, you always get some push back in the second sets with good teams like Mountain View, and they did. But our girls had a great showing.”

Menlo girls’ tennis delivered a 7-0 knockout punch in the CCS quarterfinals at home Thursday, defeating Mountain View to advance to Saturday’s semifinals. The second-seeded Knights improve to 20-4 and will play another Mountain View team in third seed St. Francis (17-2) at 10:00 am Saturday 11.13 at Lynbrook HS. The teams played one another once before early season, and the Knights won 6-1.

Shine was thrilled to see his team playing so well at this point in the postseason.

“Mountain View is a good, solid team and we played probably our best match of the year,” Shine said. “The girls were super focused, and they went out there on a mission.”

The Knights got a big win at always-tough No. 1 spot when senior Tricia Zhang defeated her training partner Penelope Wong 6-3, 3-6 (10-8).

“During today’s match, we all knew that it was going to be a challenge so everyone went into it very focused and determined. The energy and focus helped all of us get off to a good start and continue the high level of play,” Zhang said. “I think I was able to pull out the win because I went into the match with a positive mindset and stayed calm and determined throughout. We had many long rallies and good points.”

Freshman Andra Braicu and senior Brynn Brady rode straight-sets wins and junior Natalie Westermann took a 6-1, 5-7 (10-4) win at No. 4.

In doubles, senior C.C. Golub teamed with junior Sofia Labatt for a win at No.1. Juniors Charlotte Yao and Charlotte Makoni and the duo of freshman Izzy Klugman and senior Alex Viret pulled off straight-set wins as well.

For the Knights, it was the final home match for the seniors.

“I’m very proud of this team because we have grown a lot since the beginning of the season,” Zhang added. “The match was definitely really fun. I’m very happy with how the team played, especially this being the last home match of the season.”