11.17.2023 – The Menlo School girls’ tennis team charged through Friday’s opening rounds of CIF-NorCals, and into the championship round set for Monday back at home.
At the Broadstone Sports Club in Folsom,the Knights (23-6) defeated Lowell of San Francisco 7-0 before beating Monte Vista of Danville 5-2. The finalists - Menlo will again play CCS finalist Monta Vista of Cupertino - were to play Saturday, however projected heavy rains sent the match to Menlo at noon Monday.
“We’re happy that it’s a home match, as we’re a lot more comfortable playing at home,” said sophomore Elise Chen, who did not drop a game the entire day. “Also with the courts a lot closer together then the ones at the club we just played at, it’ll definitely hype up the spirit and help us have higher energy. Overall, I think we’re super excited about this (championship) match.”
Against Monte Vista in the semifinals, junior Andra Braicu at No.1, sophomore Elise Chen, freshman Emily Li at No.3 and junior Izzy Klugman swept singles in their second NorCal wins of day. Junior Kate Hsia and freshman Sophia Jia won at No. 2 doubles.
“I think our team is playing at our best, and I think that’s partly credit to (Coach Bill Shine) and our schedule,” Chen said. “We started our preseason by playing some of the toughest teams, and that really pushed our young team to their limits. Throughout the season we really worked on improving the things we fell short in during the off-season, and when CCS came around we were at our high.”
The Knights sailed to a 7-0 victory over Lowell in the first round of NorCals. Braicu, Chen, Li and Klugman all won 6-0, 6-0 in singles.
In doubles, sophomore Sulia Gayle and freshman Milla Bardony, Hsia and Jia at No. 2 doubles and junior Sophie Lenart and freshman Rosalyn Zhou completed the sweep.