Aragon girls tennis played their first Central Coast Section match on Nov. 10, as the Outlook was going to print.
Prior to CCS, the team (13-0 league) defeated the Carlmont Scots 5-2 during their senior night on Oct. 20. With their win, they secured the Peninsula Athletic League Division championship and an automatic bid into the CCS tournament, marking Aragon’s first PAL championship title in 31 years.
The matchup against Carlmont carried extra significance as the Dons looked to avenge their previous years’ losses against the Scots, who had won the previous three PAL titles. The Dons had already beaten Carlmont earlier in the season, which snapped the Scots’ 53-match winning streak, but they needed another win to secure the outright PAL championship.
“We were excited to prove ourselves to them, and deep down we knew we were strong enough to beat them,” said junior Allison Newman. “We had to get past the self doubt of losing to them in the past in order to play confidently.”
Aragon’s singles lineup swept all four singles matches, with each winning in straight sets. Freshman Mia Lo won her No. 1 singles match 6-0, 6-0. Senior Shanay Biouk followed with a 6-0, 6-1 victory at No. 2, while junior Ella Teng won 6-2, 6-1 at No. 3. Completing the sweep was freshman Emma Teng at No. 4, winning 6-0, 6-0.
The Dons picked up their fifth win in the No. 1 doubles match, with Newman and senior Jessa Williams winning 6-4, 6-0.
The victory at doubles was particularly meaningful for the pair, who had played together for the last three years.
“It was the last league match I played with my inspiration and role model, Jessa, since she is a senior,” Newman said. “It was a great finish for us to beat them together, which made winning even more special.”
Carlmont secured its two wins at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles, but the Scots’ efforts were not enough to prevent Aragon from claiming the championship.
The team’s success throughout the season also came from the team environment.
“We have genuinely improved because each player on our team pushed one another and made everyone want to push even more and harder,” Biouk said.
For seniors, the senior night win was especially important because it was a reflection of the team’s chemistry and support throughout the season.
“The team is doing well at contributing and pulling through,” Williams said. “We all worked together to secure the win for our team.”
The team also created an environment that emphasized improvement and confidence.
“This season we all played every match to win,” Biouk said. “We didn’t play not to lose, and there is a difference. We were more confident.”
Collaboration and team chemistry played a big role as well for players.
“The emphasis on improvement, teamwork and fun allows our team to win our matches not only for ourselves but more importantly for our team as a whole,” Newman said.
With the PAL Bay Division title secured, Aragon’s team now turns its attention to the CCS tournament, looking to carry its undefeated streak into the postseason.
