Mustangs Fall in Match Between Bay League's Best

When Mira Costa High Coach Joe Ciasulli was asked before the season for his take on the Bay League girls tennis race, he quickly tabbed Peninsula as the team to beat, citing their combination of depth and talent.

And on Tuesday, that depth was the difference as a number of close matches went the way of the Panthers, helping to separate what was a close contest in Peninsula's 13-5 victory over the Mustangs.

"We played well, I was happy with how our girls fought, a shot here and there can swing a game and change the outcome pretty easily,'' Ciasulli said. ''We had lots of times where it was 3-4, and if we could have mounted a rally it would have been even closer.''

The Mustangs, ranked 2-1 in league matches, received strong play from their top-level performers. No. 1 singles player Maegan Manasse was brilliant, winning her matches 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 against a formidable singles group from Peninsula.

"Each match was very competitive, my volleys and overheads were key for me," said Manasse. "I don't normally spend as much time at the net, but today I needed to and I was happy with my play."

Manasse's three wins were the only ones on the singles side as the remaining six matches were swept by the Panthers.

No. 2 Taylor Mahl did not pick up a victory, but had the Panthers' top two singles players Anna Tatsuno and Annika Rinblom fully extended before falling 5-7 and 4-6.

Ava Klein, fresh off a successful debut in singles against West Torrance fell 1-6, 0-6, 0-6 in her matches.

On the doubles side, the Mustangs' No. 1 duo of Hanna McGuire and Laura Derian took two of three matches, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. Their victories would be the only ones of the day for Mira Costa on the doubles side.

"They are very deep and we had a lot of unforced errors in our first match, and you can't do that against good players," Derian said.

"Our last two matches were much stronger and we will know how to prepare and get ready to win the next time we face them," McGuire added.

The Mustangs No. 2 team of Sara Derian and Alex Vand fell 1-6, 3-6 and in a back and forth final match tiebreaker 6-7, (4-7).

Rounding out doubles action, Erin Murphy and Alex Waller fell 2-6, 0-6, 0-6 in just their second match as partners.

"That team [Peninsula] is extremely talented and extremely well coached," said Ciasulli. "That's a deadly combination and I think we had a lot of positives in keeping most of our matches close."

Ciasulli praised Manasse's play as well as a competitive effort from his doubles teams. "Peninsula swept doubles against Corona Del Mar this year, and for us to win a couple and keep it close in several others should give us some confidence that we can play with the best."

The Mustangs will face Redondo Union in league play Thursday, then play at Palm Springs and Palm Desert.

"It's a great team-bonding trip," said Manasse. "We will face some good teams and it will be fun to get out of town and take a break from Bay League and see what we can do against some fresh opponents."