Kiana Safari Triumphs Over Aila Papadopoulos to Retain SCCAL Title

APTOS — In a commanding performance, Kiana Safari, a sophomore from Aptos High School, successfully defended her title at the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League (SCCAL) singles championships, defeating Aila Papadopoulos of Scotts Valley High School with a score of 6-2, 6-0 on Thursday at Imperial Courts. This victory secures Safari’s spot in the upcoming Central Coast Section Singles Tournament, scheduled for November 17-19, 2023.

Papadopoulos entered the match with a strategic plan aimed at exhausting Safari, who is known for her agility and strength. The senior aimed to keep her shorter opponent moving around the court, hoping to diminish her energy levels. However, Safari’s extensive preparation, including a month and a half of training at No Quit Tennis Academy in Las Vegas, proved to be a decisive advantage.

Safari, who was the tournament’s top seed, showcased her skills with two previous matches ending in double bagels. The final match saw her dominate, as she noted, “It was pretty fun. We both played really well. There were a lot of really close games, 40-30 and deuce. She played so good. She has improved so much.”

In the doubles category, Francesca Garces and Julia Kennedy from Santa Cruz High School triumphed over the Aptos twins, Isabella and Natalia Calderon, with a score of 6-1, 6-3. This victory extends their season and highlights the competitive spirit of the tournament.

The Mariners, who have an impressive overall record of 10-2, including 10-0 in league play, are preparing for the first round of the CCS Team Tournament, set for Monday at 14:00. The details of their opponent will be confirmed following the seeding meeting on Saturday morning.

Safari’s journey to the championship has been marked by significant growth. With an overall record of 19-3 in her two-year varsity career, she is eager to make a deeper run in the CCS tournament this year. Last season, she faced a challenging first-round match against Pavith Khara of Harker and suffered a loss, partly due to a back injury. Reflecting on her ambitions, she stated, “Redemption. Hopefully, I can win a couple of rounds, get to the quarterfinals or semifinals.”

Papadopoulos, meanwhile, juggled her tennis commitments with her role on the girls’ volleyball team, which also reached the CCS semifinals. Her resilience is noteworthy, especially considering she recently recovered from a fractured elbow. “It’s been super hard,” she remarked, revealing the challenges of balancing academics, sports, and her aspirations of attending a University of California school.

Despite the loss, Papadopoulos demonstrated remarkable determination on the court. “I wanted to move her around a little bit,” she explained, emphasizing her strategy against Safari, who has grown in stature and strength since last season. Safari acknowledged the improvements in her game, attributing her success to her training regimen, which included strength-building exercises and enhanced technique.

Mariners coach Tamara Brown praised both players, commenting on Safari’s adaptability and problem-solving skills during matches. “Aila had a smart game plan today and played a great match. Kiana’s ability to adjust to her opponents is one of the keys to her continued success,” Brown noted.

As the tournament season continues, both Safari and Papadopoulos have set their sights on their respective goals, with Safari looking to capitalize on her training and experience, while Papadopoulos aims to balance her athletic pursuits and academic ambitions. Following the final match, Safari treated herself to a well-deserved reward—two crispy chicken tacos, a fitting end to her championship day.

The scores from the finals were as follows:
Singles: Kiana Safari (Aptos) defeated Aila Papadopoulos (Scotts Valley), 6-2, 6-0.
Doubles: Francesca Garces and Julia Kennedy (Santa Cruz) defeated Isabella and Natalia Calderon (Aptos), 6-1, 6-3.