The Coronado High School Girls Tennis Team played two close 10-8 matches this week, winning one of them against Granite Hills on Tuesday. They had chances with several close sets on Thursday but came up just short in the second match versus Canyon Hills. The team, filled with crossover athletes who are new to tennis, is holding its own at 2-3 in league play.

Coronado began the week by defeating Granite Hills, 10-8. “This season is off to a strong start,” said co-captain sophomore Lilah Cade. “We have a hardworking positive team.” Cade and doubles partner Logan Shapiro began playing together this year for the first time. “We work great together and I’m excited to grow with her,” said Cade.

Grace Elardo won three singles sets, Ella Petersen won one singles set. Lilah Cade and Logan Shapiro won three doubles sets, Brynn Belong and Samantha Aldworth won two sets, and Josephine Zwierzynski and Casilda Sanchez won one.

A game or two here and there could have changed the outcome of the match versus Canyon Hills on Thursday. The Islanders lost 10-8 with several close sets played during the match.

Elardo won two of her singles sets, 7-5, 6-0, while Petersen and Rio Kramer each won one set of singles. The doubles team of Cade and Shapiro won two sets, 6-3, 6-1. Aldworth and Belong won two sets, 6-4, 6-3, while Zwierzynski and Sanchez lost a set in a tiebreaker, 7-6.

Rounding out the players on the team are Maria Anaya, Ines Gil, Abbie McKissick, Alyssa McWilliams, Daniela Osio, Carlotta Peralta, and Millie Rosen.

To hear Belong and partner Aldworth converse is to understand why they are such a successful doubles team: They are fans of each other’s play. When asking Belong why the doubles team was able to win their sets, Aldworth jumped in instead. “Definitely Brynn‘s volleys,” said Aldworth. “She always has such good angles so that throws off the other players.”

“I thought (Samantha‘s) baseline was really great,” said Belong. This season is the girls’ first playing tennis. Belong is a lacrosse player and Aldworth plays softball. Both shared that eye-hand coordination and footwork are critical skills that transfer from their other sports to tennis. Both also expressed their enthusiasm for their coaches. “They are so supportive and kind,” they shared. “They are definitely a highlight to this year. They make practices fun.”

Several players have turned in consistently competitive performances across the season. Elardo is 17-3 in singles while the doubles pairings of Cade and Shapiro are 16-7 and Belong and Aldworth are 14-7.

“My coaches are doing a great job putting together a strong lineup and setting good goals for the team,” said Cade.

Although returning players Peralta and Anaya are likely out for the season with ACL injuries, they have played a critical role in supporting their teammates. They have helped to encourage team spirit, organize logistics for home and away matches, and coordinate communication with the players and coaches.