URGENT UPDATE: Aptos sophomore Kiana Safari has claimed victory in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League (SCCAL) singles championship, decisively defeating Aila Papadopoulos from Scotts Valley High with a score of 6-2, 6-0 at Imperial Courts on Thursday. This win marks Safari’s second consecutive title, solidifying her place as a top contender in the upcoming Central Coast Section Singles Tournament scheduled for November 17-19.
This championship match showcased Safari’s exceptional preparation, having trained intensively at the No Quit Tennis Academy in Las Vegas for 1.5 months prior to the tournament. Her rigorous training focused on improving her speed and power, which was evident in her performance as she rolled through the finals with a pair of double bagel victories leading up to the title match.
“It was pretty fun,” Safari remarked after her win. “We both played really well. There were a lot of really close games.” Despite Papadopoulos’ strategy to keep Safari moving, the defending champion utilized her enhanced skills to dominate the court.
In doubles action, Santa Cruz’s Francesca Garces and Julia Kennedy also made headlines, defeating Aptos twins Isabella and Natalia Calderon with a score of 6-1, 6-3, extending their season as they head into the CCS Doubles Tournament, also at Bay Club Courtside on November 18-19.
Safari, now boasting a remarkable record of 19-3 in her varsity career, expressed her motivation to advance in the CCS, reflecting on her previous season’s challenges. “Redemption,” she stated, hoping to overcome last year’s first-round loss.
Papadopoulos, who is balancing her tennis success with a rigorous volleyball schedule, noted the intensity of her season. Playing a significant role on both teams, she has faced numerous challenges, including a fractured elbow earlier this year. “It’s been super hard,” she admitted, while aiming for a spot in a UC school.
The match not only highlighted individual talent but also the competitive spirit of high school athletics in California. Safari’s offseason improvements, through targeted training and competition against her older brothers—both former Aptos tennis standouts—have clearly paid off. “She’s such a powerful player,” Papadopoulos acknowledged, emphasizing Safari’s refined skills.
With the SCCAL season coming to a close, all eyes are now on the upcoming CCS tournaments, where both Safari and the doubles team of Garces and Kennedy will look to make their mark. As the excitement builds, the community eagerly anticipates the next phase of these talented athletes’ journeys.
Stay tuned for further updates as these young athletes compete for glory on the regional stage!
