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CLAREMONT — Corona del Mar’s girls tennis team again loaded its lineup with siblings. A set of identical twins, two sisters and the sister of a former boys standout all took the courts at The Claremont Club.
The Sea Kings’ hearts were loaded with desire.
Corona del Mar combined its depth and drive to defeat Portola 5-2 in the finals of the CIF-USTA Southern California Regional on Saturday and advance to its first state championship.
The Sea Kings (24-0) will play Los Altos of Santa Clara County on Nov. 29 at Fresno State at 10 a.m.
In claiming a second major title in four days, Corona del Mar dedicated its first SoCal title since 2017 to veteran coach Jamie Gresh, who is recovering from hip surgery earlier this week and missed the match.
“He said that our win took his pain away,” singles ace Emilie Lew said while sharing a smile with fellow senior Polina Briggs.
“We really wanted to do it for him because he’s been mine and Polina’s coach for four years. … We know how bad he wanted to be here.”
On Wednesday, the Sea Kings captured the CIF-SS Division 1 title by defeating Portola 10-8 at the University of Redlands.
The title represented a breakthrough for a squad that lost last season in the section semifinals to eventual state champion Palos Verdes 14-4.
In 2023, Corona del Mar fell in the first round of the playoffs to eventual state champion Mater Dei by another 14-4 margin.
Now, the Sea Kings have a chance join the ranks of California champions.
“(The regional title) makes us a lot more confident and brings us together, too,” Briggs said
Briggs sealed the regional title by defeating Jiah Lee of Portola 6-1, 6-2 for the Sea Kings’ fourth point.
Her twin sister Sasha Briggs later teamed with senior Isabel Roytman for a victory in doubles.
Corona del Mar’s Julia Cross, a sophomore, and Addie Dinicola, a freshman, also won singles matches. Cross is the sister of former Corona del Mar standout Jack Cross.
Lew’s sister Olivia Lew played No. 1 doubles with fellow freshman Sienna Lynn but the pair fell to Evelyn Wan and Sahana Chakravarthy 6-4, 6-2.
“Since we have a lot siblings, we’re already super close and that just helps with bonding everyone and team chemistry,” Polina Briggs said.
The team of Madi Jackson and Brynn Patterson showed Corona del Mar’s depth with a 6-1, 6-2 victory at No. 4 doubles.
Corona del Mar assistant Tyler Gaede, who filled in for Gresh, also credited the Sea Kings’ tight-knit squad to Gresh.
“None on this would be possible without Jamie,” the 2015 graduate of Gresh.
Cal State Fullerton commit Leanna Roman defeated Emilie Lew — the Sunset League singles champion — 6-2, 6-4 to highlight Portola’s afternoon.
Portola coach Natasha Schottland praised her team (20-4) for reaching a second consecutive regional final despite playing without All-County twins Kenzie and Kylie Nguyen, who opted out of thge high school season.
“These girls showed really their tenacity,” she said of her squad, “and I’m so proud of them.”
Los Altos defeated University 5-2 in the NorCal regional.
