The Carpinteria girls lost a heart-breaker to Malibu in the closest possible way in their Citrus Coast League opener Tuesday.
After the third round of play the teams were even in sets at 9-9, but the tie-break in total games won fell Malibu’s way by a count of 76-75.
“We made a great run in the third round and actually had a set point in a match we would end up losing,” Carpinteria coach Charles Bryant said. “It just could not get any closer against a quality Division 3 school.”
Malibu is the defending CCL champion and a CIF-SS quarterfinalist last year.
In doubles, the Warriors were led by the team of Ariana Lounsbury and Charlotte Cooney, who went 3-0 in sets. Ashley Gonzalez and Natalie Martinez went 2-1 on the day for Carpinteria, and in singles Zahra Porinsh and Silke Leonard both went 2-1 in sets, “and played great,” Bryant said.
“They knew going in they would have to have long points and wear away at their opponents, which they did,” Bryant said.
“I am encouraged knowing we are right there with the defending champs but need to instill in our players that every point, every game and every set matters in the long run. Hopefully we learned from this tough loss.”
Carpinteria is now 1-3 overall and 0-1 in the CCL.
San Marcos 17, Rio Mesa 1
The San Marcos girls remained undefeated on the young season and won their Channel League opener against Rio Mesa Tuesday, 17-1.
The match follows previous non-league wins over San Luis Obispo and Arroyo Grande. The Royals are now 3-0 overall and 1-0 in league.
They host league rival Santa Barbara on Thursday.
Dos Pueblos 14, Ventura 4
Dos Pueblos singles players Mel Mayo, Ellie Triplett, Isla Herrera and Eva Amendolagine swept their nine sets with the loss of only seven games in a 14-4 Channel League win over Ventura at home Tuesday.
The Chargers’ No. 2 doubles team of Saned Crespo and Olivia Simon went 2-0 and Crespo and Riley Roggero won their only set, in senior Roggero’s first varsity match.
Dos Pueblos is now 1-0 in league play and 2-0 overall.