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Huntington Beach girls’ tennis upsets Newport Harbor in league finale
Singles player Adelina Dita of Huntington Beach hits a forehand against Newport Harbor on Thursday.

The Huntington Beach High girls’ tennis team surged out of the gates Thursday afternoon and never looked back.

The result was a 13-5 upset victory over Newport Harbor in the Sunset League finale for both programs.

Sophomore Serena Garrett, junior Adelina Dita and sophomore Nikki Nguyen all won a pair of singles sets for the Oilers (6-9 overall, 6-6 in league). Huntington Beach finished tied for fourth place in the competitive league with Fountain Valley.

The Oilers and Barons split their two league meetings. But because Huntington Beach won a greater number of total sets, the Oilers would be the league’s fourth and final automatic entrant into the CIF Southern Section playoffs, Fountain Valley coach Harshul Patel said in a text message Friday.

Doubles player Bella Applehof of Huntington Beach hits a winning volley with partner Carlie Ball against Newport Harbor on Thursday.

Newport Harbor finished the regular season 13-5 overall and 8-4 in league, tying for second place with Los Alamitos behind league champion Corona del Mar.

The Oilers lost by a 12-6 sets score to the Sailors in the teams’ first meeting, but came out on fire on Thursday. Huntington Beach led 6-0 after the first round, and had already clinched the match with a 10-2 edge after the second round.

Dita earned a 6-4 win over Newport Harbor’s top singles player, sophomore Coco Hine, helping the hosts clinch the match in the second round.

Newport Harbor singles player Coco Hine runs down a volley against Huntington Beach on Thursday.

“It means everything,” said Oilers senior Charissa Bui, a team captain along with fellow senior Haley Dang. “Especially because I’m a senior, it’s my last year, ending on this match just means the world to me. I’m so happy to be able to end this season with such an incredible win. I know everyone brought their ‘A’ game today. I think we just all came in with the mind set that we were going to try our best. Since we didn’t win last time, there was really nothing to lose here.”

Bella Applehof won two sets at No. 1 doubles for Huntington Beach, one with Carlie Ball and one with Bui. Dang and Chloe Dean won twice at No. 2 doubles, as did Remy Andrews and Tenley Franzia.

Applehof and Ball made quick work of their opening set, topping Newport Harbor’s Ava Millard and Kendall McGuire 6-0.

Newport Harbor doubles player Kendall McGuire hits a forehand against Huntington Beach on Thursday.

“We were aggressive, and we just really played a really good game,” Applehof said. “ think that might have been the best match we’ve played. I’m really proud of us. I don’t think they were expecting it, either, so it felt extra-good.”

Jasmine Cole earned a substitute singles win for Huntington Beach in the surprising match.

“We talked about it right from the start, to not wait for it to happen but to make it happen,” Oilers coach Jill Muranaka said. “They were pretty fired up … I think the competition [Wednesday against Corona del Mar] kind of set the tone for today.”

Doubles player Haley Dang of Huntington Beach steps into a forehand against Newport Harbor on Thursday.

The Oilers finished their rain delayed match against CdM on Friday.

Dang, a four-year varsity player, said that Huntington Beach has become more cohesive as a team over the course of the season, with bonding activities like Pilates, swimming and plenty of board games.

“Today, especially with it being our last match of the season, I think we were super ready to get out there and play our best, try our hardest,” she said. “It really paid off, and we did really well today.”

Newport Harbor got one singles win each from Kylie Glover and Leah Sobek, while Stone Florie and Lyla Henderson won twice at No. 3 doubles. Holland Kelyan and Kit Harrington also notched a doubles win.

Newport Harbor doubles player Lyla Henderson hits a winning volley against Huntington Beach on Thursday.

The Sailors dealt with a bit of adversity, with Hine nursing an ankle injury. Sailors first-year coach Abe Yaftali said he also filled a need by moving his second-best player, the freshman Florie, into doubles on Thursday.

Still, he gave credit to Huntington Beach, noting how fired up the Oilers were to start the match. But his own Sailors players were still able to keep a positive mindset.

“It’s a very happy team, believe it or not, even though a result like today might not seem like it,” Yaftali said. “Even in the close matches that don’t always go their way, they’re always thinking of the positives. It’s been a great experience, and we have league finals next week and CIF.”

Newport Harbor hosts the Sunset League singles and doubles individuals finals on Monday and Tuesday.

Doubles player Chloe Dean of Huntington Beach hits a backhand against Newport Harbor on Thursday.

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