SUNSET GIRLS: Gorman’s Crovetti takes singles title

That door never quite opened, but it served as plenty of motivation for this season.

The Bishop Gorman sophomore moved one step closer to her goal Monday, downing Palo Verde’s Nikki Newell, 6-1, 6-3 in the Sunset Region girls singles championship at Darling Tennis Center.

“I was so close last year,” said Crovetti, who fell to Spring Valley’s Tiffany Tavares in the state final. “As a sophomore, I’m ready. I’m motivated.”

Crovetti, who earlier in the day breezed to a 6-0, 6-0 semifinal win over Bonanza’s Lauren Smith, never let Newell get into rhythm, instead forcing the match to be played at a higher tempo.

Crovetti fell behind 2-0 in the second set, but quickly regained control.

“I just stepped in on short balls, and I wouldn’t let myself get sucked into playing lobs and high balls,” Crovetti said. “I tried to be aggressive.”

Crovetti, who won her opening-round match by default, lost a total of only eight games in eight sets in the tournament.

“I tried to get the matches over quickly,” she said. “With all the school events we’ve had in the last week, and all of the things going on, it was important.”

Crovetti and Newell both qualified for the state tournament, which begins Friday in Reno. Palo Verde’s Tiffany Newell placed third and will play Green Valley’s Josie Legarza at 8 a.m. today for the final bid to state.

While her sister didn’t find the desired result Monday, Palo Verde’s Kristen Newell and doubles partner Chloe Henderson made a big splash in their freshmen season.

The duo blitzed their way to a 6-1, 6-4 win over Gorman’s Taylor Larreau and Morgan Matley in the Sunset girls doubles final.

“We’re friends both on and off the court, and we just have very good cooperation on the court,” Henderson said.

The Panthers’ top doubles team throughout the season, the duo secured the opening set in short order before having to work a bit harder in the second set.

“We know each other very well,” Henderson said. “That helps on the court. We have assigned sides, but we know where each other is going to be.”

Both teams move on to the state tournament in Reno.

“It gives us a lot of confidence,” Kristen Newell said.

Gorman’s Julia MacDonald and Amber Del Rosario took third place and will meet Coronado’s Marlee Allison and Lauren Coons in the play-in match at 8 a.m. Tuesday.