By Tamara Brown
The Aptos Mariners Girls Varsity Tennis Team had a tremendous 2023 season, going undefeated in league play, securing the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League Title and sweeping both the singles and doubles individual titles at the season-ending SCCAL Tournament.
SCCAL Tournament winners (from left): Doubles winner Coral Collins, Head Coach Tammi Brown, doubles winner Holly Hegna, singles winner Tiana Smith
It took a combination of strong singles and consistent doubles play for the Mariners to end the season with an 8-0 record, squeaking through two close (4-3) matches over a strong Scotts Valley team.
Then came the SCCAL Tournament at Imperial Courts in Aptos on Oct. 24 and 25.
Tiana Smith, seeded No. 4 in the tournament, took home the singles title for the Mariners, but it was no easy task. She beat the No. 1 seed Isla Garcia-McDougall from Soquel High (who was undefeated in league play) in a tough semi-final match 6-4, 4-6, 1-0 (10-6).
The next day she faced the No. 2 seed, Francesca Garces from Santa Cruz High in the varsity tennis finals. Tiana had only lost once in regular season play and it was to Francesca, so this match had more history for Tiana to overcome. She played hard and there were tremendous points from both players but in the end, Tiana’s ability to get “one more ball back over the net” led her to a 6-4, 6-3 win and the singles title.
Tiana had a 7-1 record in League singles play this year. Including pre-season and all post-season play, she ended with an impressive 13-1 record overall.
Longtime friends and regular singles players Holly Hegna and Coral Collins, seeded No. 1 in the doubles tournament, came through in a tough (6-4, 7-5) final match versus No. 2 seeds Sofia Niklaus and Erin Szymanski from Scotts Valley. Holly and Coral had to fight back from a 0-3 deficit in the second set clinch the match and be awarded the 2023 SCCAL doubles title.
Junior Aviana Andrews who played No. 4 singles for the tennis team all season, also ended with a noteworthy 8-0 record in SCCAL League play. Including pre- and post-season play, Aviana finished with a combined record of 12-1.
But one of the best parts for all concerned was knitting together a close group, from all four levels in school. Practice started back in early August with 14 players, five of them new to the team, and over the next few months they became a tennis family that worked, played and laughed together.
One of the nicest things about this team is the tremendous good sportsmanship and kindness in evidence on and off the courts, to teammates and opponents alike. They genuinely enjoy the game and the team environment.
The Mariners will be graduating three seniors, team captains and singles players Holly Hegna and Tiana Smith and doubles player Natalie Victory. They are a big part of the spirit and camaraderie of our team and they will be greatly missed.
The team is very fortunate in the encouragement and support from our team parents, who act as chauffeurs for away matches and provide much appreciated match snacks for the players when we have matches at home. We couldn’t do it without them!
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TOP PHOTO: Front row (from left): Aptos Team Captain Tiana Smith, Natalie Victory, and Team Captain Holly Hegna. Back row (from left): Assistant Coach Sam Brown, Julia Blevins, Isabella Calderon, Natalia Calderon, Charlotte Long, Gia Arista, Finn Gansaeuer Pilcher, Neci Hoeptner, Coral Collins, Quinn Baird, Gamble Kellermyer, Aviana Andrews, Head Coach Tammi Brown • Photo Credit: Brett Hegna