Lodi singles player Canepa doubles down for TCAL title
Accomplishments: Emma Canepa has enjoyed being the No. 1 singles player on the Lodi High girls tennis team this season
But Canepa teamed with fellow singles player Nikki Barajas to capture the TriCity Athletic League doubles’ championship at In-Shape Marina in Stockton toward the end of last week, as they defeated Lincoln’s Wendy Minn and Kate Shea in three sets 6-1, 4-6, 6-3.
“We could’ve played better in our last match,” Canepa said. “It was just a matter of getting our stuff together. We work well together, that helps.”
In the semifinals of the tournament, Canepa-Barajas defeated St. Mary’s Lauren Basso-Ali Gabbard 10-4. They went 4-0 at the tournament. Last year, Canepa-Barajas also won the league’s doubles title.
On Thursday, the duo, who been doubles’ partners for the last three seasons, played at the Sac-Joaquin Section’s Division I doubles tournament at Johnson Ranch Racquet Club in Roseville. Canepa and Barajas were eliminated in their first match 6-2, 6-3.
“I think my strengths are playing the net; I’m pretty good at that,” Canepa said. “Getting off my shots coming up to the net and volley with Nikki. Nikki’s strengths are plays back, helps sets me up to get good shots.”
In league play as the Flames’ top singles player, Canepa posted a 7-3 record. She was Lodi’s No. 2 singles
player last year.
In her freshman year, Canepa, a senior, started playing tennis, and was one of the Flames’ doubles players. But she had different partners during that time. Then as a sophomore, Canepa teamed up with a freshman in Barajas, now a junior who was the Flames’ No. 2 singles player this season.
“It was just way better,” said Canepa of playing with Barajas. “Nikki was a high-level player. It was just more fun. Me and Nikki are really close.”
After Thursday’s loss at the section doubles’ tournament, Canepa reflected back on the success her and Barajas had as a doubles’ team, and playing singles. Canepa and Barajas are two of the reasons for the Flames’ success this season that included a second place in the TCAL with an 8-2 record. Lodi was one win away from beating champion St. Mary’s to win a share of the title. Lodi finished with a 15-4 overall record.
“I’d say that the season went pretty well,” Canepa said. “I feel like we could’ve been coleague champions. Overall, I’d say we had a pretty good run. It’s sad because I know I’m leaving (returning players for next fall) behind.”
Canepa went out for tennis because some of her friends were trying out for the team. She admitted tennis was an activity and not a sport at the campus. She attended a clinic that was being held by Lodi coach Jill Kelsey. “I really liked it,” Canepa said. Canepa is planning to play tennis on the collegiate level next year. She’s looking at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, if not Cosumnes River College in Sacramento or Modesto Junior College.