Girls tennis set to dominate opponents (9/03)

By Administrator

Oct. 21, 2003

On a sweltering day with the mercury reaching into the upper 80s, senior Lani Ackerman, the girls' tennis superstar played "the worst match of her life" against Tamalpais. That being said, Ackerman won the match by a comfortable 6-1, 6-4 margin on, Sept.11.

Such is the high level of expectations to which the girls' tennis team members hold themselves.

After rolling over much of the competition last year en route to an undefeated championship season, the Cardinals are prepared to repeat last year's success. They have two of their top three singles players returning from last year, along with their number one doubles squad. At the helm of a formidable Cardinals lineup are Ackerman, the number one singles player, and junior Micki Cabral, the number two singles player. Both are fresh off monster seasons in which they combined for only one loss all year.

"My goal this year is to not lose a single match all season," Ackerman said.

If it seems as though Ackerman has raised the bar to an unrealistic height, consider this: she had merely one loss all last season.

Although the everyone was victorious in the competition against Tamalpais what, on the surface, appeared to be a relatively easy victory, some matches were marred by frustration, particularly for Ackerman and Cabral. While Ackerman breezed through the first set, she stumbled in the second. A brief Gatorade break seemed to replenish and rejuvenate the Tam ace. She stormed back, down one set to zero, running off three consecutive games to cap off an unprecedented comeback.

"I couldn't keep the ball in the court at all," Ackerman said. "She took advantage by blooping the ball in. I give her credit; she knew what to do."

The momentum of the game had seemingly shifted irrevocably to Tam.

HENRY CHAN

Senior Lani Ackerman beats Tamalpais 6-1, 6-4, keeping her hopes of an undefeated season alive

With her back against the wall, and the prospect of being shamed by a clearly inferior player looming in front of her, Ackerman met the challenge with the poise and audacity that has separated her from her competitors throughout her entire career. She manhandled her opponent, winning six straight games, completing the figurative jam session.

Cabral also faced a series of trials. In a similarly frustrating match, she had to overcome the heat, as well as a pesky Tamalpais opponent who battled with a squirrelly resolve. Finally, Cabral buried her opponent (6-2, 6-1: check) in a performance that was, admittedly, one of Cardinals' worst.

"My performance was terrible," Cabral said matter-of-factly. "Absolutely terrible. I wasn't consistent, and she just pushed everything."

Despite the girls' critical self-analysis, coach Terence Doherty offered a positive outlook. "We did pretty good despite the heat," he said.

Tip your hat to a Tamalpais squad that was indifferent to the fact that it was definitely outclassed. The team hung tough against a talented Cardinal team not only on the singles front, but on the doubles end, as well. Top-ranked doubles team junior Rachel Peterson, who was partnered with freshman Teresa Nguyen because junior Sarah Kwan, Peterson's usual doubles counterpart, was sick also played a disappointing match. The tandem labored to a 6-4, 6-1 victory.

The Cardinals were put to the true test the following day against Saint Ignatius, a formidable Catholic school team that has a reputation of excellence. The Cardinals, perhaps feeling carryover from a disappointing overall performance from the previous day, put up a meek fight against S.I., with the only two Lowell victories coming from team stalwarts, Ackerman, who won 6-2, 6-3, and Cabral, who won decisively 6-1, 6-0.

"I was looking forward to the match," Cabral said of a dynamite performance that has become routine for her. "I was in the zone the whole time."

Although S.I. blitzed the Cardinals, 5-2, in the preseason match up, spirits remain high for the future of the team, which features its core of returning players, as well as some highly touted freshman.

Doherty, the consummate optimist, believes his team has a bright future. If their [record] preseason record is any indication, the Cardinals are ready to feast on their AAA rivals.

"We have the personnel to repeat (as city champions) provided everyone stays focused and healthy," he said. "If we win the league we can build on the successes of last year and take it to the next round."

Advancing past the second round of NorCals has been an elusive and often daunting task for the Cardinals, as they have failed to make the second round for two consecutive years.

"This team is shaping up to be better than last years," Doherty said. "I don't know if they are there."

After a pause, he added with a grin, "Yet."

The Cardinals next game is at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 20 against Washington at Lowell.

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