Santa Barbara, Calif. – The CIF‑SS girls tennis semifinals on Thursday delivered an exciting all‑local finale for Division 5. The Santa Barbara Dons, led by a dominant performance from Karen Monroy, Iris Heckes and Hali Wight, defeated Simi Valley 16‑2 to earn a spot in the championship match. Their opponents will be the Laguna Blanca Owls, who edged out Esperanza 11‑7.
Division 5: Dons dominate Simi Valley
The Dons swept singles play, with Monroy, Heckes and Wight each posting 3‑0 victories. Their teamwork and depth proved too much for the Simi Valley squad, which managed only two points overall. The Dons’ clean‑sheet win secures their place in the title match, which will be held at Cate High School on Friday at 1 p.m.
Division 5: Owls earn a spot over Esperanza
Laguna Blanca’s Owls also advanced after a hard‑fought 11‑7 victory over Esperanza. The Owls displayed balanced play across singles and doubles, overcoming a resilient Esperanza team that fought back in the middle of the match but ultimately fell short.
Other division results
In Division 2, Cate High School defeated Calabasas 9‑9 on games, advancing to face Campbell Hall on Thursday afternoon at the University of Redlands. Division 4 saw Capistrano Valley beat Dos Pueblos 11‑7, despite the Chargers missing top player Zella Cassidy due to a softball commitment. In Division 6, the Carpinteria Warriors will meet Pacific Christian at the Claremont Club on Thursday at 11:45 a.m.
Looking ahead
The all‑local Division 5 final promises a showcase of Santa Barbara’s best young tennis talent. Fans can expect a competitive match at Cate High School, where the Dons and Owls will vie for the CIF‑SS title. Local supporters are encouraged to attend and cheer on the athletes who have represented the community throughout the tournament.
All matches are open to the public, and families are invited to bring their support to the courts. The tournament continues to highlight the strength of Santa Barbara’s high school sports programs and the dedication of student‑athletes, coaches, and volunteers.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
