Bulldogs put up a fight in loss to No. 1 seed CAMS
LANCASTER — The Highland girls tennis team fought hard in its CIF-Southern Section Division 5 second-round match against the California Academy for Math and Sciences (CAMS) on Friday at Antelope Valley College.
The Bulldogs didn’t let the bracket’s No. 1-seeded team get by them without a fight in a 15-3 loss.
“I’m really proud of the girls, they fought,” Highland coach Matt Winck said. “Obviously, a tough opponent.”
Highland’s three wins came in doubles and they nearly picked up a fourth win.
“Doubles did great,” Winck said. “I think our doubles held their own, they got three points.”
The Bulldogs’ No. 1 doubles team of Sara Flores and Maggie Castellanos won two sets, 6-3 and 6-4.
“They’re really good,” Castellanos said about CAMS. “Obviously, they have advanced skills. I really love their serves. I love returning really hard serves, it’s just so fun. It’s so satisfying.
“Even though we did not win this (match), it’s still nice to play someone who puts up a challenge.”
The duo lost their first set 6-2, but enjoyed playing the match, though Castellanos joked that she had been humbled when she got off the court.
“They were super fun to play with,” Flores said. “We lost the first game, regardless, I did not feel bummed or sad. I was just like, ‘Wow, that felt good.’ When I would actually hit one back, I would be like, ‘Whoa.’”
It’s been a solid season for the juniors, who paired up for a third-place finish in the Golden League championships.
“I can’t believe it’s over,” Flores said.
Highland’s No. 3 team of seniors Jaden Wilson and Paris Harper picked up the first win for their team in a 7-5 victory in the first round of play.
“They did really well,” Winck said. “Jaden and Paris
ended up being a very good team. Almost won two points today.”
The duo nearly pulled off another win in their second match, fighting back from a 5-2 deficit to tie the match at 5-all and then 6-all to force a tiebreaker. They fell 7-5 in the tiebreaker for a 7-6 loss, but impressed all of their teammates.
“They really put in their all,” Flores said. “I really like that about them.”
The singles players all went up against talented players who knew just where to put the ball and had powerful serves.
“Obviously, this school was really good and they came to win,” Highland’s No. 1 singles player Ariana Valiente said. “I wish them the best, they were pretty nice.”
Luna Mendez was the only Highland singles player to win a game. But even though the other scores were 6-0, the matches were longer because of Highland’s rallying.
“I thought our singles fought really well,” Winck said. “They had a lot of good rallies.”
Valiente, Highland’s team captain, was proud of how far the team got this year, despite many new players.
“It feels really good, because last year we only made it to the first round, but we played a really good school,” Valiente said. “I’m really proud of them. A lot of them, it’s their first year and they’ve been putting in a lot of work. It’s so sweet to see people try new things and then they stick with it.
“For example, Jaden, I’m so proud of her because she tried something new. She went from softball to tennis, which, in a way, it is the same, but you have to slow your pace, you don’t have to hit so hard. She tried it and she stuck with it. So, she’s obviously contributed a lot to the team and Paris has stayed for the team.”
After starting the season at No. 1, Valiente suffered through injuries in both of her knees and dropped to the No. 3 position early in the season. But she healed up and earned the No. 1 spot again, finishing her senior season there.
“I’m very proud of myself, it sounds very self-centered,” Valiente said. “I’ve played all four years — I am the last COVID original. So, I wanted to work harder to get where I am. I pushed through my injury, I took care of myself, I had MERISA JENSEN Valley Press a plan and everything.
“It came out the best, because I moved up to one. It feels really good to accomplish that. I’ve worked so hard and it paid off. … I’m very excited that I am fully, officially Highland’s No. 1 single and I am closing my high school chapter as Highland High School No. 1 single.”
The Bulldogs are losing four seniors to graduation — Valiente, Wilson, Harper and singles player Isabel Ortiz.
“We’re going to miss the seniors,” Flores said. “We’ve spent the whole season together. I’m going to miss them.”