Top-seeded Sage Hill loses in semis

Another year, another step closer.

Sage Hill School’s girls tennis team became the first squad from

any sport at the school to advance to the semifinals in the CIF

Southern Section playoffs. But the Lightning, seeded No. 1 in

Division V playoffs, had their run end on the road Thursday when they

were upset by Malibu, 10-8.

Last season, Sage Hill (18-4) bowed out in the quarterfinals.

The Lightning received strong play from their doubles teams, which

won two games each. But the visitors managed just two victories in

singles, both by freshman Sarah Geocaris.

Rachel Heyler and Falen Andrews stood out in doubles, combining

for 6-4 and 6-3 victories. Jessica Tsoong and Sarah Flynn also won

two sets, as did Grace Graham and Laura Webb.

Despite the season-ending loss, the possibility of taking things

even further next season is bright, particularly with all three of

Sage Hill’s singles players competing as freshmen this season.

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CIF Southern Section Division V

Semifinals Malibu 10, Sage Hill 8

Singles -- Geocaris (SH) lost to Stewart, 0-6; def. Mosser, 6-0; def. Perelman, 6-1; Langer (SH) lost 1-6, 0-6, 1-6; Hsu (SH) lost 0-6, 1-6, 0-6.

Doubles -- Tsoong-Flynn (SH) def. Farna-Sarmiento, 6-3; lost to M. Zweig/C. Zweig, 3-6; def. Kohrs/Nidic, 6-1; Graham-Webb (SH) lost, 3-6, won, 6-1, 6-2; Cummings-Heyler (SH) lost 4-6; (sub) Andrews-Heyler won 6-4, 6-3.

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