Girls’ tennis (20-5) emerged victorious in the 2019 Division 3 CIF-SS Championships final at the Claremont Club against Notre Dame High in Sherman Oaks, bringing home the first CIF-SS title with a 10-8 win on Nov. 15.

The match was close, but a win from number two doubles consisting of seniors Lauren Hwang and Allison Shi in the first round, sweeps from singles players and freshmen Isabella Chhiv and Anne Yang and the number one doubles of sophomore Saachi Pavani and freshman Prisha Rapur secured the team’s gold plaque.

Advancing from the competitive Pacific Coast League, including Woodbridge High, the  2019 CIF-SS Division 2 Champions, and University High, the 2019 CIF USTA SoCal regional winners, the girls expected to go far in the championship, placing third in league and ranking first in CIF polls all season. 

Despite their dominance in recent matches, the girls did not always find success in matches. They were defeated in league last season, only finding success in tournaments and preseason matches, but this year was a complete turn around for them. Hwang attributes both a change in team mechanics and the addition of new freshmen Chhiv, Rapur and Yang for their newfound success. 

“I think they did a lot in helping us improve as a team because obviously they are so good, but it also helped motivate us, like ‘We actually have a chance at going to CIF now …this is real,’” Hwang said. 

While the girls remained at the top throughout the season, there were rough moments, especially when the team hit a roadblock of losses in the middle of league due to illness, injuries and absences.

“We had a little bit of a slump [during the season], and it’s amazing how one player gone can change the dynamic of a team,” Schottland said. “When Bella left for her training week in Florida, it really put us in a slump, and I’m glad we could fight through that slump and push through that mental block and make things happen.”

While the team is projected to move up to Division 1 or 2 next season, Schottland looks to continuing success against tougher opponents. Although four seniors will leave the team next season, the girls will leave a mark on Portola High’s history as the first-ever CIF champions.