Top Prep Tennis Matchup Suspended

IRVINE —  The girls’ tennis match between top-ranked Corona del Mar and third-ranked Woodbridge was suspended Tuesday because of darkness. Corona del Mar was leading, 8-7, with three doubles sets still to be decided. Woodbridge led in one set, 3-0, Corona del Mar led another, 3-1, and the third set was tied at 3.

It was not surprising that the Sea View League match couldn’t be completed in one day. Corona del Mar defeated Woodbridge, 11-7, two weeks ago in a match that took more than three hours to play. Tuesday’s match started at 3 p.m., two hours before sunset.

“I think we should have started around 1:30,” said Corona del Mar’s Caylan Leslie, who swept her three singles sets. “These are two good teams and the match is going to be close. It’s stupid we didn’t start earlier.”

Corona del Mar wanted to continue the doubles sets at a local club that had lights, but Woodbridge Coach Joan Willett decided she wanted to finish the match at 4 p.m. today at Woodbridge’s courts.

“We had a little mo’ going,” Corona del Mar Coach Tim Mang said. “She made a wise decision.”

Woodbridge (12-3, 6-1) trails Corona del Mar (15-0, 7-0) in games, 69-56, so it needs to sweep all three sets today in order to win.