The 2024 season has been a bit of a soft rebuild for the Coronado High School girls' tennis team. Still, even in a year when most of the roster was composed of underclassmen and first-time players, the Islanders find themselves having success late in the year.

Overcoming Adversity, Islanders Prove Their Mettle

Exceeding Expectations in the Eastern League Tournament

While the regular season ended with Coronado going 5-10, the young group of Islanders showcased their true talent level at the recent Eastern League Tournament. Despite their modest record, the team managed to advance several players to the second round or later, demonstrating their resilience and potential.In the singles bracket, Ella Peterson and Casilda Sanchez both won their opening-round matches before falling in the second round, showcasing their individual skills and competitiveness. Meanwhile, in doubles, Coronado's pairings of Lilah Cade and Josephine Zwierzynski, Brynn Belong and Samantha Aldworth, and Rio Kramer and Ines Gil all made second-round appearances, further solidifying the team's depth and versatility.

Standout Performances and Impressive Statistics

The Islanders' success was not limited to just a few players, as the team boasted several standout performers throughout the season. The pairing of Belong and Aldworth, for instance, collected an impressive 25 wins, ranking third on the team behind Cade's 28 wins and Logan Shapiro's 33 doubles victories.Speaking of Shapiro, she and her doubles partner for the tournament, Grace Elardo, would be the Islanders whose tournament run would go the deepest. The unseeded duo advanced all the way to the semifinals before falling in a third-set tiebreaker, showcasing their tenacity and ability to rise to the occasion.

Facing Tough Competition, Islanders Earn Playoff Berth

While the Islanders ultimately fell short of winning anything in the Eastern League Tournament, their regular season record of 5-10 is not indicative of their true talent and potential. The Islanders played in one of the more difficult conferences in San Diego, facing off against high-end CIF DII and CIF DI teams, which contributed to their regular season struggles.Despite the challenging schedule, the Islanders have earned a spot in the CIF DIII playoffs as the number five seed in the bracket, where they will face off against the twelfth-seeded Valley Center High School. This achievement is a testament to the team's resilience and the coaching staff's ability to develop the young players.

Bright Futures Ahead for Coronado High's Tennis Team

The CIF individuals for girls' tennis will follow the team portion of the CIF playoffs, and it's fair to expect a few Islanders to make it to the individual tournament. Grace Elardo, who went 29-5 this season in singles, is likely to represent the Islanders in the CIF singles bracket, showcasing her individual talent and potential.As the Islanders prepare for their playoff match against Valley Center, the community can look forward to the team's continued growth and success in the years to come. Despite the challenges of a rebuilding year, the Islanders have proven that they have the talent, determination, and coaching to compete at the highest levels of high school tennis.