University coach John Kessler arrived for Saturday's girls tennis playoff match to the news that his top singles player, Elika Fateri, was ill and wouldn’t be making the match against cross-town rival Woodbridge.

Even with their depth put to the test, the Trojans were able to get a strong start that propelled them past the Warriors, 13-5, in the second round of the CIF-SS Division I playoffs at University High.

“I found out when our captain Megan Yu told me,” Kessler said. “I went into very concerned mode. I thought we were deeper than Woodbridge. But if we would have lost those two sets in the first round, it would have been a completely different match.”

The sixth-seeded Trojans led 5-1 after the opening sets, pulling out the last two to take control. University’s Kendall Heitzner escaped with a 6-4 victory over Nakisa Vahdat at No. 2 singles.

Alice Lin and Yu followed with a come-from-behind victory at No. 2 doubles. After trailing 0-3, they rallied and won in a tiebreaker.

“We kept thinking, just win one more game,” Yu said. “They were good players. It was a great feeling to come back.”

Yu said the Trojans dealt with the absence of Fateri by coming together.

“Our team is bigger than one person,” Yu said. “Our coach really helped us pull together. Everyone was cheering everyone. We were strong as a team. We thought it would be a lot closer.”

University swept the doubles in Round 2 to lead 9-3. It all but ended the Warriors' chance at an upset. The Warriors would have needed to sweep the final round and make up 11 games.

“They outplayed us in doubles,” Warriors coach Ric Barth said. “They played more consistent and played better on bigger points. They deserved to win.”

Kessler said he expected a close match before learning his best singles player was sick. He also expected Woodbridge to give them problems in doubles regardless.

“To win five of the first six doubles sets was amazing,” Kessler said.

Yu and Lin swept, while Megan Miller and Kyra Scott won two of three at No. 1. Sisters Sami and Nassim Radmehr also won two of three at No. 3 doubles.

In singles, the Trojans received a sweep from Ali Dawson, while Heitzner and Woodbridge's Jaime Lin each won two sets.

University, after playing two home matches, travels to No. 3 Palos Verdes on Tuesday.

“It's going to be very tough,” Kessler said. “We have to play our best to keep it close.”

In other matches Saturday:

Valencia 12, Mark Keppel 6: The two-time defending CIF champ Tigers led 11-1 after two rounds of play before pulling all nine starters Saturday afternoon in second round play in the Division III playoffs at Mark Keppel High. Valencia plays the winner of La Canada/Etiwanda in the quarterfinals on Tuesday. A coin flip will determine the home team.

“We were able to get 18 girls into the match,” Tigers coach Mike McCall said. “That was good. We are moving on. That's what is important.”

Dana Hills 17, Santa Margarita 1: The Dolphins continued their repeat march by defeating the Eagles on Saturday at Laguna Niguel Racquet Club. Santa Margarita reached the match up with the second-seeded Dolphins after defeating Laguna Hills on games Thursday. Dana Hills subbed out top singles player Brynn Boren in the final round. It was the only set Dana Hills dropped.

Corona del Mar 17, Mira Costa 1: The top-seeded Sea Queens moved into Tuesday's quarterfinals by sweeping the doubles sets. Corona del Mar also received sweeps at No. 1 singles from Melissa Matsuoka and Katelyn Nguyen. They lost two games combined.

“Katelyn had a really good day,” Corona del Mar coach Brian Ricker said. “She beat their No. 1 girl 6-0. That's a good sign.”  

• Girls Tennis: Division II playoff breakdown (Round 2)

• Girls Tennis: Division I playoff breakdown (Round 2)

• Los Al beats El Dorado on games (78-75)

• Girls Tennis: Division IV playoff breakdown

• Girls Tennis: Division III playoff breakdown

• Girls Tennis: Division I playoff breakdown

• Girls Tennis: Division II playoff breakdown

• Division III playoff pairings

• Girls Tennis: Div. II playoff pairings

• Girls Tennis: Div. I playoff pairings

• Loara’s Cornea survives fight for Empire singles title

• Girls Tennis: Dana Hills sweep

• Girls Tennis: Boren/Smith playing for history
• Girls Tennis: Champs begin repeat bid
• Girls tennis CIF rankings

• Dana Hills doubles champs start title defense

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