CdM quartet moves on

CLAREMONT — The CIF Southern Section Individuals girls’ tennis tournament is supposed to be, well, an event for individuals after the team season ends.

But four of the best players on the Corona del Mar High girls’ tennis team, which was known for its camaraderie this season, are still keeping the teamwork aspect going.

That’s why the doubles team of Camellia Edalat and Brooke Kenerson stayed put after advancing past the third round Monday at The Claremont Club, cheering for teammate Danielle Willson, who played on an adjacent court.

“It was really cool,” Kenerson said. “Even though we weren’t there as a whole team, we still had people representing. You’re allowed to cheer for your team. Even though it’s not a team competition, it’s Individuals, we were still there to support our team.”

Not that any of the four participants from CdM needed too much help. On a chilly day, the Sea Kings provided plenty of “bagels” (6-0 scores), and nobody dropped a set. Jasie Dunk and Willson in singles, as well as Edalat and Kenerson in doubles, all easily advanced to at least the round of 32 with their efforts on Monday.

They could play in the round of 32 on Tuesday at Whittier Narrows, or advance to the round of 16 on Nov. 30 at Seal Beach Tennis Center. The list of those who must report to Whittier Narrows will be released Wednesday.

Edalat and Kenerson had a first-round bye before beating Amy Tran and Emma Castillo-Gonzalez of Los Osos, 6-0, 6-0. They then got past Yuri Kil and Kaila Phaychanpheng of Ayala, 6-1, 6-1, in the third round to move on.

Edalat and Kenerson are both having fun in their first CIF Individuals. For Edalat, a senior, it was a long time coming. She finished third in Pacific Coast League doubles as a sophomore with Taylor Fogarty and as a junior with Erica Chen, one spot away from advancing to Individuals. This year, Edalat and Kenerson were league doubles finalists.

“I kind of don’t want the season to ever end. I want to make it last as long as possible,” Edalat said. “I’m just very excited and happy to be at this point in my high school tennis career. It’s something that I’ll never forget.”

Dunk, who is bound for Cal and was the Pacific Coast League singles champion, was pushed in her third-round match after two easy ones. She got past Alyssa Kue of Banning, 6-0, 6-0, before topping Kaya Ellis of Serrano, 6-0, 6-1. In the third round, Dunk beat Jordan Wallace of Pasadena, 6-2, 6-4.

Dunk was ahead in the second set, 5-1, before the lefty Wallace rallied a bit, but Dunk was able to finish the match off in straight sets.

“I definitely started hitting to her backhand,” Dunk said. “It’s tough playing a lefty, because I’m so used to playing the righty spin. The lefty ball kind of comes into your body, toward your backhand. The serve was definitely kind of hard to direct where I wanted it to go, but that just comes with playing a lefty. It’s a totally different game when you’re out there.”

Willson beat Jewell Henderson of University Prep, 6-0, 6-0, then Thea Kirkpatrick of Webb by the same score. She then got past Cameron Ward of Ayala, 6-3, 6-2, to move on.

Willson has now made at least the round of 32 at CIF Individuals for three straight years.