Corona del Mar Girls Tennis Sweeps Newport Harbor in Battle of the Bay Game 1, Score 18-0

Newport Beach – Sailors Courts (NHHS)

The Battle of the Bay rivalry shifted to the tennis courts on Tuesday afternoon, as Corona del Mar opened Sunset League play with a commanding 18-0 victory at Newport Harbor.

The defending league champion Sea Kings left little doubt in their pursuit of a third straight title, sweeping every set behind a balanced mix of seasoned seniors and talented underclassmen. Senior standouts Emilie Lew and Polina Briggs, along with sophomore Julia Cross, dominated in singles play, dropping just four games combined across their nine sets.

“We were super confident coming in,” Lew said. “We know Battle of the Bay is always one of the bigger matches, and we wanted to show high energy on the court and really set the tone.”

Doubles proved more competitive, but CdM ultimately prevailed across all three lines. Freshmen Addie DiNicola and Sienna Lynn held strong at the top spot, while seniors Sasha Briggs and Isabel Roytman secured key wins at No. 2 doubles. The No. 3 pairing of sophomore Madi Jackson and freshman Brynn Patterson also came through with two victories. Substitutes later sealed the sweep, as Giulia Fontana and Olivia Lew rallied for a 7-5 win in the final match on court.

The win highlighted CdM’s depth, which coach Jamie Gresh believes will be critical in another postseason run. “We have a really good team vibe right now,” Gresh said. “The girls are looking forward to every match. After reaching the CIF Open Division semifinals last year, they want to push for more.”

For Newport Harbor, the day was less about the score and more about the experience. First-year coach Cameron Ball, a 2001 CdM graduate, emphasized growth against elite competition. His father, Syd, a former touring pro, serves as an assistant, while his brother Carsten coaches JV.

“We came out looking at it as a learning opportunity,” Ball said. “You wouldn’t normally get to hit against this level of player. That’s a win for us.”

Senior captain Lily Roman, who usually plays No. 1 singles, moved into doubles for the rivalry match and helped showcase the Sailors’ fight. “We showed spirit the whole way,” Ball added. “That’s the idea, and I’m proud of them for it.”

CdM (4-0) continues league play Thursday against Los Alamitos, while Newport Harbor (1-5) looks to rebound at Huntington Beach.