LCC’s Chloe Katz gets back on track to outlast CCA’s Alyssa Liu for tennis title

Four games into her CIF San Diego Section girls tennis singles championship match, La Costa Canyon High School’s Chloe Katz was not a happy camper. She trailed Canyon Crest Academy’s Alyssa Liu 3-1 and her body language reflected her mood.

Frown. Slumped shoulders.

About 70 minutes later, Katz was all smiles. After ripping off nine straight games, Katz, a sophomore, finished with a rush to win the title 6-3, 6-2 on Saturday at the Balboa Tennis Club.

Her reaction when Liu’s final groundstroke tumbled into the net?

Showing little emotion, Katz simply turned to her coach and cheering section and displayed a pumped fist.

“It was more like relief,” said Katz, “because there were a lot of tense moments throughout the match.”

The match offered a contrast in styles. Liu came out like a junk-ball pitcher, offering more slices and dices than a Cuisinart. The 5-foot-10 Katz likes to bang from the baseline. She’s also deceptively athletic and down 3-1 she changed things, mentally and via tactics.

“I just started to take it point by point, resetting after every point,” said Katz. “I just don’t think I was as concentrated and focused. I had to break it down into smaller pieces.”

As for tactical alterations, Katz came to the net more and drilled Liu’s backhand.

The battle turned dramatically. In the 1-hour, 31-minute match, Katz went from down 3-1 to rattling off the nine straight games, good for a 6-3 first set win and 4-0 jump in the second set.

In the process, she demonstrated her all-court game.  With a wide wingspan, she volleyed well from both sides. She patiently waited out Liu’s baseline game, dropped in the occasional drop shot and retrieved lobs.

“She covered a lot of court,” said CCA coach Kevin Brown. “I think she got to a lot of balls Alyssa didn’t think she was going to get to.”

“She has a real solid game,” said Liu. “There weren’t any specific weaknesses.”

“She’s very athletic and a fierce competitor,” said La Costa Canyon assistant coach Courtney McCue. “She’ll figure out a way to win and fight every point.”

After focusing on junior tennis as a freshman, Katz played high school and junior tennis this fall. She lost just one set in her five CIF matches, getting pushed by La Jolla’s Alana Sweeney 6-4, 3-6, 10-7 in the semifinals.

Katz, who can be playful and witty, said she enjoyed the high school experience. As for coming back next year, she said, “I’m still undecided, but chances are I might come back.”

“She cheers louder than anybody on the team, in a funny way, too,” said McCue. “Tennis is a lonely sport, especially a player traveling to tournaments every week. Having a whole group of girls rooting for you, she seemed to be super, super happy.”

CCA rallies in doubles

In a match that lasted three hours, seven minutes, Canyon Crest’s Isabelle Hsu and Minerva Toda defeated Westview’s Elizabeth Dang and Josephine Nguyen 6-7, 7-6, 7-5 for the doubles title.

It was the Ravens’ fourth doubles title. CCA won three straight from 2018 to 2021. There were no championships held in 2020 because of Covid.