By ARTHUR HSIEH The Olympic League Finals were an all Maranatha affair for the second straight season. The championship matches were as follows: 1 Madison Kane vs. 2 Malena Smith 1 Michael Wilkins/Aria Haver-Hill vs. 2 Georgia Wilder/Amanda Yee Kane and Smith played a high level of tennis despite the 6-0, 6-0 score line. Kane […]
By ARTHUR HSIEH
The Olympic League Finals were an all Maranatha affair for the second straight season. The championship matches were as follows:
1 Madison Kane vs. 2 Malena Smith
1 Michael Wilkins/Aria Haver-Hill vs. 2 Georgia Wilder/Amanda Yee
Kane and Smith played a high level of tennis despite the 6-0, 6-0 score line. Kane kept the pressure on all match, keeping Smith on her toes and dictating the pace and flow of the match. Smith, still nursing an injury, played better than she has in a few weeks, and played Kane harder than any other player in the league played her, but with the same results. Kane is just that good.
The doubles matchup was the best doubles match we’ve seen in the league all season, with the first set going back and forth the entire way, resulting in a tie breaker that Wilkins/Haver-Hill won, 7-3. Neither team led by more than a game at any point in the set. Wilder/Yee jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second set before Wilkins/Hill stormed back, taking a 4-3 lead. Wilder/Yee fought back to win the all-important 8th game, after several deuces, to tie the set at 4-4, before the experience of Wilkins/Hill pulled them through, 6-4.
It was a knock-down, drag-out fight that was a pity someone had to lose. Both teams brought out the best in each other, which was great for Wilkins/Haver-Hill, who bounced back from a season low last week to find their best form this week. Wilder/Yee also kept growing in sustaining their focus level, showing what they’re capable of when zoned in.
The Lady Minutemen now await the Monday announcement of their seeding and their first round opponent in the CIF-SS Div. 5 playoffs.
