Manasse Racks Up 2 More Wins, Is Into Semis

Thanksgiving break was not long enough for . The Mira Costa High sophomore wanted more time off from school.

Most of all, she wanted to return on her own terms.

That was her focus Thursday when down 4-1 to Sarah Lee from North Hollywood Campbell Hall in a quarterfinal match at the CIF-Southern Section girls individual championships at the Seal Beach Tennis Center.

"I was trying to regain my focus, and I thought about going back to school and people asking me about the matches,'' she said. ''I didn't want to have to say I lost.''

That word, "lost," has not been part of the super sophomore's vocabulary this year.

Manasse carried a 54-game unbeaten streak in the Bay League on through to the CIF individual tournament, where she has made it to the semifinals, coming back to beat Lee 7-6, (9-7), 6-3.

"I'm really excited to still be playing,'' Manasse said. ''There are so many good players, everyone is ranked and you have to play really well to advance.''

Manasse will face freshman Mayo Hibi from Irvine Woodbridge in the semifinals Friday at 11 a.m.

While Manasse has faced little resistance during her unbeaten high school season, she encountered her toughest test in the quarterfinals from Lee, who is headed to the University of Michigan next year to play tennis for the Wolverines.

Playing in the final singles match of the day, Manasse found herself in the rare position of having to come from behind. Down 4-1, Manasse, who admittedly was frustrated, took some advice from Coach Joe Ciasulli to heart.

"Joe told me I had to stay patient, smile, be happy and be myself," she said.

Manasse fought back, pushing the match to a 7-6 tiebreaker. It went back-and-forth, but Manasse emerged with a 9-7 win.

In the second set, Lee came out to an early 3-2 lead. But Manasse took the next game while serving and then broke Lee's serve to go up 4-3. She did not lose another game, going on to a 6-3 win and a berth into the semifinals.

Manasse even surprised herself in the match, pulling out a drop shot.

"I had never hit a drop shot before in my life, and I hit the most beautiful one," she said. "I amazed myself, I was so excited."

In Manasse's first match, she beat April Scatliffe from Redlands 6-2, 6-3.

"Maegan has played great all year. She kept her focus and stuck to her game plan and that has served her well all season," Ciasulli said.

Manasse deftly used touch shots and waited through long rallies to hit precision winners down both lines.

"I had played her before at the Easter Bowl and I knew what to expect and that I needed to play my game and be patient," Manasse said.

Up next is the freshman Hibi, who is the second-ranked 18-and-under player in the nation.

"I've played her twice before,'' Manasse said. ''Last year, I had a really good match with her. I went out with nothing to lose and played her tough... She has a one-handed backhand and her game is a lot different than anyone else I have played this year. It's going to be a great challenge.''

The winner of the Manasse-Hibi match will play either Sabrina Santamaria from Campbell Hall or Lynda Xepoleas from Corona del Mar in the final Friday afternoon.