Central Valley’s girls tennis program had two singles players and a pair of doubles teams advance to the finals of the Western Athletic Conference Championships last week in Modesto.
Harkiran Sandhu made history by becoming the first Hawk singles player to place first at a league tournament.
The senior won all four of her matches.
“It’s one of my greatest accomplishments,” Sandhu said. “It was really surprising I got to the end. It was pretty challenging. I played like I normally do. I’m very defensive. I try to keep the ball going and wait for the opponent to mess up.”
“Credit to Harkiran,” Central Valley head coach Nimrat Chahal said. “She made history. It’s deserved. She had a plan and executed it.”
Sandhu upset Central Valley teammate/fellow senior Aleena Higle in straight sets, 6-4, 6-1, for the championship on Thursday at Johansen High School.
“To have two players in the finals, it was awesome,” Chahal said. “It’s something we’ve always talked about in years past. They both had awesome seasons.”
Sandhu and Higle logged playing time at No. 2 and 1 singles, respectively, during the WAC regular season.
Higle was named the conference’s Most Valuable Player prior to the start of the league tournament.
“There was pressure,” Sandhu said. “I’ve known her for so long. We practice and rally with each other. I’ve always looked up to her. I’ve always wanted to play like her. She’s a very, strong player.”
“I watched less than five minutes of the match,” Chahal stated. “I just wanted them to play. Neither of them got coaching. They had to figure out everything on their own.”
Sandhu amassed a 17-1 record in WAC play during her final year with the Hawks.
She went undefeated during the conference’s regular season while contributing at No. 6 singles as a junior.
She played No. 1 doubles as a sophomore.
“I improved tremendously,” Sandhu said. “It’s thanks to my coaches and teammates. They helped me get to where I’m at today.”
Higle won 17 of 18 conference matches this fall.
She made history by becoming Central Valley’s first outright league Most Valuable Player in girls tennis.
Emely Amaya was voted the WAC’s co-MVP in 2014.
Higle and Mikalynne Tapia claimed the WAC Doubles Tournament title in 2024.
“This day doesn’t define her season,” Chahal said. “Aleena had one of the best seasons in program history. She’s one of the best players I’ve ever coached. She’s a leader. She works hard.”
Ceres High senior Alyson Brumbaugh lost 7-5, 6-2 to Livingston’s Arlene Ybarra in the opening round of the 2025 WAC Singles Tournament.
Senior Aaliyah Jauregui and junior Valerie Espinoza joined elite company by becoming just the fifth doubles team from Central Valley to finish first at a conference tournament.
“We had a feeling we were going to win it because of our experience,” Jauregui said. “We had a lot of confidence. We believed in each other.”
Jauregui and Espinoza won all four of their matches.
The duo compiled a 2-1 record while advancing to the semifinals of the 2024 WAC Doubles Championships.
“We used last year’s loss as motivation,” Jauregui said.
“They were the best team at this year’s tournament,” Chahal stated. “Their experience helped a lot. They play so well together. AJ (Aaliyah) is super-fast. She gets to every ball. Valerie has power. She hits with a lot of spin. She finds the open spots. They’re both really good at the net.”
Jauregui and Espinoza topped Central Valley’s Emily Carranza and Serath Birring 6-4, 6-2 during the championship match on Thursday at Johansen.
“We did feel pressure playing against our teammates,” Jauregui said. “We wanted to win. We took it more serious.”
Newcomers to tennis, Carranza (Jr.) and Birring (Fr.) won three of four matches at the WAC Doubles Tournament.
Carranza and Birring enjoyed success while teaming up for the first time.
“Once we saw them play together in the first round, we knew they had a chance to make it to the finals,” Chahal said. “They make a good doubles team. Emily can return every ball. She’s great at the net. Serath has so much to her game. She’s a great all-round player.”
