While coming up short in the final round of NCS, the Bishop O’Dowd Girls Tennis team has had a very successful season. Even though losing in the finals of NCS was disappointing, the girls tennis team still had many accomplishments.
First, the O’Dowd tennis team had an overall record of 21-4. In addition, the lady dragons went undefeated in league compiling an 8-0 record, and handing second place Piedmont its only two league defeats, beating the Highlanders 5-2 and 4-3. They were able to repeat as WACC League Champions after winning in 2021.
Second, at the end of season WACC Championships, the Dragons won in both doubles and singles. Polina Marakhtanova ‘24 won the WACC League Singles Championship, beating Piedmont in the finals. In addition, Leyla Akçaoglu ‘24 and Ceci Weible ‘24 repeated as WACC Doubles Champions winning over Alameda’s top duo.
In addition, the Dragons competed at the California Tennis Classic in September. They won many matches, only losing in the finals. The girls tennis team was able to place 2nd out of 72 teams from all over California in the Division 1 bracket.
Furthermore, the Dragons went into NCS as the number #1 seed in the NCS Division 2 bracket, ahead of impressive schools such as SF University, Piedmont and Marin Academy. Holding the number #1 seed in NCS the dragons got a bye in the first round of NCS. In the second round they took an impressive 6-1 victory over number #9 seed Head Royce. On Saturday the Dragons geared up for the semi-finals of NCS. They stayed focus and handled the #4 seed Marin Academy, securing the 4-3 win. In the finals, the Dragon’s would have to face the 2022 NCS Champions, SF University. The University Red Devils were the #2 seed and had rolled past its previous competition, even beating #3 seed Piedmont by a score of 5-2, the Dragon’s would have a challenge on their hands. Unfortunately, in the end the Dragon’s lost 5-2, securing one singles and one doubles win.
Finally, teammates Polina Marakhtanova, Diya Shah, Ceci Weible, Leyla Akçaoglu, Ava Taner, and Ayla Akçaoglu competed at the NCS individual championships in Golden Gate Park. Markhtanova was able to place 2nd.
Overall, it was a very successful season for the dragons compiling over 20 wins, going undefeated in league, getting 2nd in the California Tennis Classic out of 72 teams, and placing 2nd in NCS. The Dragons look to come back strong and have another successful season next year.
