Dami Kim, social media director
In their sixth match in Ocean League, the varsity girls’ tennis team played against Palos Verdes Peninsula High School and lost 4-14 on Sept. 24, 2012.
Although they have won matches against Palisades Charter High School and Marlborough High School, this match against Peninsula became their fourth loss this season.
Varsity captain Allison Isaacman has been playing tennis for three years. Isaacman has only been back in training for six months after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament from playing girls’ JV basketball last season. Even through her injury, Isaacman won her last match by 6-2 in a long, intense rally against a “tough player.”
“It was hard to zone out the girl on the other side of the net, since she could run down everything I hit,” Isaacman said. “But I think I did a good job of just playing my game and focusing on the ball instead of [her].”
Girls’ varsity tennis will be playing against SAMO on Oct. 3. Isaacman hopes to improve as they head into one of their most important matches against Beverly’s rivals.
“[Our team] needs to practice and do drills after drills after drills,” Isaacman said. “Personally, I want to improve the most on my footwork and speed, so I can make sure that I can get to the other side [of the court] fast enough to hit the ball.”
Junior Emily Dekhtyar felt optimistic about showing improvements on the next match after playing doubles with junior Jenny Zatikian against Peninsula.
“I know what I need to work on now,” Dekhtyar said. “If I work on consistency when I’m playing, I think it will definitely show a change in the results.”
According to freshman Katarina Stefanovic, the varsity team has already been showing signs of improvement from the hard work of her coach, Mike Margolin.
“Despite his tough coaching, he has a kind heart and is passionate about teaching students,” Stefanovic said.
Margolin, who has been coaching girls’ tennis for more than 10 years, anticipated an exciting match against Santa Monica High School next week.
“SAMO has a very strong team, just like Peninsula,” Margolin said. “I think this Peninsula match has prepared the girls even more for SAMO, and with just a week of few more practices, we will definitely be ready for them.”
The girls’ varsity tennis match against Santa Monica High School will be on Wednesday, at home on the tennis courts.