San Marin Girl Captures 2nd Sectional Tennis Title

Heading into the final match of her high school tennis career, 's Laura Posylkin was loose rather than tense. She was up against her regular hitting partner, Hadley Berg of Redwood High, on Wednesday in the championship match of the North Coast Section individual tournament in Oakley.

"I come out nervous sometimes … I think it got into my head that it was my last high school match," Posylkin said. "But it was much more about having fun and going out there and proving to myself what I could do. Usually I struggle with my serve, but today it was on. I just played a fearless match and went for my strokes."

With a 6-1, 6-1 victory over third-seeded Berg, Posylkin successfully defended her NCS singles title and became the third Marin County girl to become a two-time section champion. Louani Bascara won it for Branson in 1996-97 and Caroline Scherman did it for Redwood in 1983-84.

Earlier Wednesday at Diamond Hills Tennis Club, Posylkin cruised past Rickimae Torres of Dougherty Valley, 6-2, 6-0. In the four consecutive NCS victories, Posylkin only lost five games.

Berg beat No. 2 seed Kristina Hovsepyan of Monte Vista, 6-4, 6-2, to earn a spot against Posylkin in the title match. Posylkin stretched her head-to-head record against Berg this year to 4-0, including two weeks ago in the Marin County Athletic League title match.

In the three previous meetings between the finalists, Posylkin was "tight as a drum" mentally, which made it harder for her, San Marin coach Fern Ruth said.

"Today she played as fluid and beautifully as she's always done," Ruth said. "Hadley looked under pressure; she really wanted to win and she was tight. She did not play her best, but Laura was the reason she did not play her best."

Posylkin finished her high school career undefeated in MCAL play and with only four singles loses overall. Combined with doubles, her record at San Marin was 103-5, including no losses as a junior or senior.

She reflected on her prep career Wednesday by savoring the NCS banner with her teammates, family and supporters.

"High school tennis was one of the greatest experiences of my life," Posylkin said. "I didn't win this NCS title for myself. I won it for my team and my school. That's what it was all about. It was about the camaraderie and doing what I love and being with the people I love."

Posylkin is expected to choose a college in the springtime and wants to continue playing competitive tennis. To learn more about what makes her tick, see Novato Patch's from Nov. 16.