Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now
ALL-ORANGE COUNTY GIRLS TENNIS 2025
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Lisa Polkanova, Woodbridge, Senior
Woodbridge’s Lisa Polkanova grew up playing tennis with the same aspirations as many of her peers on the competitive tournament circuit.
She wanted to be the best in her age group.
“I was very determined to try to get No. 1,” she recalled. “I don’t think I ever got it but I was pretty high.”
Polkanova’s goals broadened at Woodbridge as the success of her team became a focus. She and the Warriors succeeded together.
Polkanova impressively blended the roles of ace and team leader this season.
As a co-captain with senior Catherine Riggs, Polkanova helped lead Woodbridge to the CIF-SS Division 2 semifinals. And as a singles player, Polkanova reached the quarterfinals of the CIF individual finals and claimed Pacific Coast League MVP as the singles champion.
“A great season to wrap up an amazing career,” Woodbridge coach Ryan Sabado said.
Polkanova’s all-around game helped Woodbridge (21-6) beat Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks, Orange Lutheran and Redondo in the playoffs.
The Warriors fell in the semifinals to eventual champion Calabasas 10-8.
In singles play, Polkanova showed her competitive roots in a sport that she learned at a young age from her father Michael.
The four-year varsity player avenged an earlier loss to Ashley Liang of Northwood to collect an 8-3 win in the Pacific Coast League singles final.
Polkanova captured her first league title after losing in the finals the previous two seasons to twinsKylie and Kenzie Nguyen of Portola, respectively.
In the CIF-SS Individual Championships, Polkanova avenged a loss to Redondo Union’s Kareena Yang to post a 7-5, 6-3 victory to make the quarterfinals.
Polkanova fell in the quarterfinals — the furthest round that any O.C. player reached — to eventual champion Ania Zabost of Louisville.
While pleased with all of her accomplishments, Polkanova’s experience with teammates left the strongest impression on her journey.
“High school tennis, at first, it was almost like a culture shock because when you play USTA tournaments, you’re always by yourself … and the matches are always dead silent,” she said. “But high school tennis, it was really nice to be able to be part of a team where you have other people you can bond with and go to matches with.”
“We’re a really tight-knit community (at Woodbridge),” she added. “It was just such a wonderful experience that I don’t think I would have had anywhere else. It was just super fun, and the camaraderie, is really heart-warming.”
Polkanova is uncommitted for college tennis. She said she might attempt to play as a walk-on. She has a 4.7 grade-point average is applying to Ivy League and UC system schools.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Jamie Gresh, Corona del Mar
Jamie Gresh guided Corona del Mar to CIF-SS Division 1 and CIF-USTA Southern California Regional championships this season. The Sea Kings finished second at the CIF State finals.
Corona del Mar defeated Portola 10-8 in the Division 1 championship for its first section crown since 2019.
The Sea Kings also beat Portola 5-2 for the regional title to advance to state for the first time.
Corona del Mar (24-1) suffered its only loss, a 4-3 setback to Santa Clara County’s Los Altos, in the state final in late November.
Gresh, in his 11th season as Corona del Mar’s coach, credited assistant coach Tyler Gaede for leading the team in his absence after undergoing hip surgery late in the season.
ALL-COUNTY FIRST TEAM
SINGLES
Lisa Polkanova, Woodbridge, Sr.: The Orange County player of the year.
Emilie Lew, Corona del Mar, Sr.: Lew won the Sunset League singles title and reached the second round of the CIF-SS individual finals. She is committed to 2025 Division III champion Washington University in St. Louis, Mo.
Sophia Dumitrascu, Yorba Linda, So.: Dumitrascu claimed the Crestview League singles title and advanced to the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Individual Championships. She is rated a five-star recruit by Tennis Recruiting Network.
DOUBLES
Julia Cross, So. and Sienna Lynn, Fr., Corona del Mar: The Sunset League’s doubles champion advanced to the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS individual tournament.
Huiqing Sun, Sr., and Sara Wang, Fr., Crean Lutheran: Sun and Wang won the Crestview League doubles crown and reached the semifinals of the CIF-SS individual finals.
Leanna Roman, Sr. and Jiah Lee, Jr., Portola: Roman and Lee claimed the Pacific Coast League doubles title and advanced to the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Individual Championships.
Sahana Chakravarthy, Jr. and Payton Nguyen, Jr., Portola: The Pacific Coast League runner-up in doubles advanced to the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS individual tournament.
Emily Gao, Sr., and Grace Kersenbrock, Sr., Santa Margarita: The pair captured the Trinity League title and finished second at the CIF-SS Individual Championships.
ALL-COUNTY SECOND TEAM
SINGLES
Polina Briggs, Corona del Mar, Sr.
Rebecca MacCallum, Laguna Beach, Jr.
Aubrey Meis, San Juan Hills, Jr.
DOUBLES
Trudy Sten, So. and Maya Varma, Fr., Aliso Niguel
Sasha Briggs, Sr. and Isabel Roytman, Sr., Corona del Mar
Ava Levitanus, So. and Julianna Johnson, So. JSerra
