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The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
Wilson sophomore Vanessa Holden admitted she was conflicted ahead of Friday’s Moore League girls’ tennis singles championship match at Billie Jean King Courts.
She wasn’t anxious about it being her second consecutive year playing in the final, Holden just couldn’t couldn’t stop thinking her opponent and teammate and junior Vivian Hall.
“It was hard for me to play against Vivian,” Holden said. “We’re really close friends inside of school and in tennis. I went into it feeling like if I win I’ll feel bad, and if I lose I’m going to feel bad for (Hall). So, I just told myself, ‘You know we’re both in the same boat anyways so let’s just play how I play if we’re just practicing.’”
The mindset showed in the first set as Holden took and early lead with a tight win before closing strong to claim the match and the title 7-5, 6-1.
“I feel really confident about myself now,” Holden said. “I feel like I can play without the thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m going to mess this up.’”
With her calm and collected demeanor, Holden was able to navigate the first set as her and Hall traded points before Holden pulled away.
“For them it was a great opportunity because we have the two best players in league,” Wilson coach Nick Medina said. “It was nice they could play each other and that’s just another day at practice for them. It’s a celebration of Wilson tennis.”
In the third-place match, CAMS Emma Li defeated Adora Vinhee.
Wilson completed the Moore League Finals sweep as Holden and Irit Paiement defeated Millikan’s Adora Vinhee and Maya Cummings for the doubles championship.
