Beaumont Lady Cougars Battle in Mountain Pass League Tennis Finals

San Jacinto and Beaumont high school girls' tennis teams finished one and two in the Mountain Pass League - the Lady Tigers with a 10-0 league mark, 17-1 overall, while Beaumont was 8-2 league, 17-3 overall.

With the league finished, only one task remained: the Mountain Pass League Finals that determines which singles players and doubles teams qualify for the CIF Division 5 playoffs. 

First-round play started Tuesday at San Jacinto High School and finish on Thursday - again at San Jacinto - with the semifinals and finals. 

At the end of Tuesday's play, the Lady Cougars' doubles teams were faring well with the No. 1 team of Kaitlyn Hopp and Michelle Yang, along with the No. 2 team of Brooke Carrillo and Zuriah Smith qualifying for Thursday's competition.

Beaumont coach Carolyn Owens said she was pleased with her team's play during the regular season, and in the league finals.

"Both singles players (Mia Antonio and Jacklyn David) were extremely consistent and know how to fight their way through matches and never give up," she said, adding that the doubles teams are aggressive and fare well when they don't get caught in long, extended rallies.

The most exciting match of the day was between Beaumont's sophomore Hannah Poulter, who took on the league's No. 1 player - Hemet's Tori Hall. But Poulter didn't back down. After falling behind 4-1, Poulter fought back, trailing just 5-4 before Hall was finally able to put her away.

"That was huge in tennis coming back like that," said Brett Hall, who is head coach of the Hemet Tahquitz girls' tennis team, and also Tori's father. "She's (Poulter) just a sophomore and her tough mentality is what separates the average player from the good player."

Play continues Thursday with games beginning at 11 a.m. The league finals and parking are free to the public at San Jacinto High School.