The Moore League girls’ tennis championships at the Billie Jean Moffitt King Tennis Center on Wednesday were reminiscent of the past.
Similar to previous year, Mandy Oliveros, a sophomore at CAMS, defeated a strong Wilson opponent to win the singles title. Oliveros defeated Wilson senior Vannesa Holden 6-2, 6-2 to end her nearly flawless campaign.
” Oliveros remarked. “I can now concentrate on playing rather than just enjoying the experience. I believe that I performed better than I did the year before because I made more mental than physical progress. I’ve improved my ability to handle tense situations in closer matches thanks to the summer competition and all of the experience.
Oliveros is now ranked in the Top 25 California youth tennis players and is one of the top players in the Moore League in recent years.
In addition to winning the CIF-SS Division 5 championship the previous year, CAMS is the current Moore League champion. Oliveros believes that this set of CAMS tennis players has been motivated by their lack of success in the past.
She remarked, “I’m just happy to represent and come out here and play and make history for the school because I didn’t even know about CAMS before I went there, nor did I know about their tennis.” “I’m honored to add CAMS to the history of the league.”
CAMS coach Lorant Lassu stated, “One of the things I’m really proud of is their really good team spirit.”
One of the things I’m most proud of is the excellent team spirit,” CAMS coach Lorant Lassu stated. You’ll see that they genuinely support one another. They both get knowledge from one another outside of the court as well.
Oliveros broke Holden’s serve to start the first set quickly and take a 3-0 lead. Oliveros upped the ante with a brilliant crosscourt backhand that helped her win the point and the set 6-2 after Holden took a game to make it 4-2 in the set.
Holden swiftly broke Oliveros’ serve after finding her rhythm in the second set. She then forced Oliveros to move and struck a number of returns to take a 2-0 lead in the set.
“My strategy was to maintain composure,” said Holden, a three-time finals participant and past league champion. I simply tried to maintain my composure and avoid becoming too critical of myself since I believe I have a lot of acquired toughness.
Holden is a fantastic counterpuncher, according to Oliveros. She will simply return with an even better shot, in my opinion, after I make an incredible one. With her, you have to be prepared for the unexpected in every game we play.
After breaking back with a cut backhand shot, Oliveros capitalized on the momentum to easily draw the match 2-2.
“My forehand just tends to do whatever it wants when I get tense,” Oliveros remarked.”I was able to get the points I needed because my backhand remained steady.” I returned once my forehand regained rhythm.
Late in the game, a pair powerful overhead smashes demonstrated Oliveros’ skill when properly challenged.
“Being dynamic and learning all the different styles is a big part of tennis,” Wilson coach Nick Medina stated. Holden follows her opponent’s tempo, reroutes it, and frequently travels down the line. You must capitalize on such advantages. Unfortunately, given the caliber of Mandy’s tennis today, it wasn’t enough.
Regarding Oliveros, Holden remarked, “She’s probably the best player I’ve come across in our league.” “Her timing of the ball and all of her swinging volleys are so good that I’m not even sure what I could do with them.”
Holden, Oliveros, and the rest of their teams are now getting ready for the CIF playoffs. Early next week, the team brackets will be made public.
