Four games into her CIF San Diego Section girls tennis singles championship match, La Costa Canyon High School’s Chloe Katz was not a happy camper. She trailed Canyon Crest Academy’s Alyssa Liu 3-1 and her body language reflected her mood.
Frown. Slumped shoulders.
About 70 minutes later, Katz was all smiles. After ripping off nine straight games, Katz, a sophomore, finished with a rush to win the title 6-3, 6-2 on Saturday at the Balboa Tennis Club.
Her reaction when Liu’s final groundstroke tumbled into the net?
Showing little emotion, Katz simply turned to her coach and cheering section and displayed a pumped fist.
“It was more like relief,” said Katz, “because there were a lot of tense moments throughout the match.”
The match offered a contrast in styles. Liu came out like a junk-ball pitcher, offering more slices and dices than a Cuisinart. The 5-foot-10 Katz likes to bang from the baseline. She’s also deceptively athletic and down 3-1 she changed things, mentally and via tactics.
“I just started to take it point by point, resetting after every point,” said Katz. “I just don’t think I was as concentrated and focused. I had to break it down into smaller pieces.”
As for tactical alterations, Katz came to the net more and drilled Liu’s backhand.
The battle turned dramatically. In the 1-hour, 31-minute match, Katz went from down 3-1 to rattling off the nine straight games, good for a 6-3 first set win and 4-0 jump in the second set.
In the process, she demonstrated her all-court game. With a wide wingspan, she volleyed well from both sides. She patiently waited out Liu’s baseline game, dropped in the occasional drop shot and retrieved lobs.
“She covered a lot of court,” said CCA coach Kevin Brown. “I think she got to a lot of balls Alyssa didn’t think she was going to get to.”
“She has a real solid game,” said Liu. “There weren’t any specific weaknesses.”
“She’s very athletic and a fierce competitor,” said La Costa Canyon assistant coach Courtney McCue. “She’ll figure out a way to win and fight every point.”
After focusing on junior tennis as a freshman, Katz played high school and junior tennis this fall. She lost just one set in her five CIF matches, getting pushed by La Jolla’s Alana Sweeney 6-4, 3-6, 10-7 in the semifinals.
Katz, who can be playful and witty, said she enjoyed the high school experience. As for coming back next year, she said, “I’m still undecided, but chances are I might come back.”
“She cheers louder than anybody on the team, in a funny way, too,” said McCue. “Tennis is a lonely sport, especially a player traveling to tournaments every week. Having a whole group of girls rooting for you, she seemed to be super, super happy.”
CCA rallies in doubles
In a match that lasted three hours, seven minutes, Canyon Crest’s Isabelle Hsu and Minerva Toda defeated Westview’s Elizabeth Dang and Josephine Nguyen 6-7, 7-6, 7-5 for the doubles title.
It was the Ravens’ fourth doubles title. CCA won three straight from 2018 to 2021. There were no championships held in 2020 because of Covid.