Girls tennis: Redwood captures MCAL tennis crown
If rivalries build champions, then the Redwood High girls tennis team should send The Branson School a thank-you note for pushing the Giants to their 2022 MCAL title.
The Bulls upset the Giants in the MCAL finals last season, and the teams split their two regular-season matches this year. But with five sophomores in their starting lineup who still felt the sting of those two losses to Branson, the Giants erupted for their best tennis of the year to claim the MCAL crown with a dominating 6-1 victory over the Bulls.
“Everybody out there who played, played beyond our expectations,” said Redwood coach Marlies Zeisler.
The Giants sealed their victory when sophomore Ella Povio claimed the No. 3 singles match over left-hander Audrey Gilmor 6-3, 6-3. There were still two matches on the court.
Povio exuded the fortitude on display by the entire Redwood team. Ahead 5-1 in the second set, Povio started to show some nerves against the incredibly steady Gilmor. Relying on loopy balls and slices to change the pace, Povio survived three games knowing full well that she could be the deciding match.
“I knew coming into the match that she gets everything back,” said Povio. “I had to hit those deep loopy balls. It was exciting and a little bit stressful.”
As her Redwood teammates cheered behind the baseline, Povio seemed unfazed by the moment, even shrugging off a double fault on game point that allowed Gilmor to stick around at 5-2.
“Knowing everyone on our team was cheering for me helped with the nerves a lot,” said Povio. “It’s so exciting. I’m excited for this season, for next year and for the next year.”
The Giants jumped out on the Bulls quickly, winning No. 2 doubles in about an hour. Jennie Liu and Gwenn Ricordel won 6-0, 6-1 over Alexa Warrin and Isa Amario McShane.
Next came a win at No. 3 doubles, where Redwood’s Lindsay Reed and Corys Matthews defeated Karis Crabill and Gaby Steele, 6-4, 6-3. Reed held her serve for a 5-3 cushion and then was very steady from the baseline to give the Giants a 2-0 lead.
Redwood’s Julia Laury put the Giants ahead 3-0 when she beat Katie Warrin 6-2, 6-3 in No. 4 singles. Laury used her quickness to run down everything, including a drop shot that she flipped over Warrin into the backhand corner of the court for a winner.
Lost in the Giants’ early and decisive victory was a very efficient win in No. 1 doubles by Annesley Krawitt and Livia Klumpus.
The marquee No. 1 singles match was last but certainly not least, as sophomore Jordan Marotto kept the victory party going with an impressive 6-2, 6-4 win over Anna Rende.
Branson’s only win came at No. 2 singles thanks to Mirabel Arlander.
“My girls are awesome — I am so proud of them,” said Branson coach Chrissie Costamagna. “For us to beat Redwood once this season was great. Redwood is tough. Redwood is a great team.”
The MCAL singles and doubles titles will be settled in two rounds played Monday and Wednesday back on the courts at Novato High. The finals are set for 3 p.m. on Wednesday.