Romero Gets a Grip on Title

NORTHRIDGE — It was the perfect opportunity for a meltdown, but Shaland Romero of Burroughs High was able to hold her emotions in check just enough to earn the Foothill League girls’ tennis singles title.

After blowing a three-game lead against Jenny Munroe of Hart in the final set, Romero was muttering to herself after every unforced error and hitting balls in every direction. But she held on for a 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory at Cal State Northridge on Thursday.

“Sometimes [emotion] works to my advantage, sometimes it doesn’t,” Romero said. “Today I think it was a little of both.”

Romero won her fourth league title. After winning the singles championship as a freshman, Romero played doubles the next two years before returning to singles this season.

Burroughs--and the Romero family--held onto the doubles title when Danette Romero, Shaland’s twin, and Michelle Hildreth defeated Chantal Pershing and Veronica Irinco of Burbank, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, in the final.

All of the finalists qualify for the Southern Section Individual tournament later this month.

Munroe and Romero split two sets during the regular season.

Both came in hurting, partially because of Munroe’s 7-6 (7-4) victory over Romero a week ago.

Romero was suffering from lower back pain, which caused her to pull out of a tournament last weekend. Munroe had blisters on both feet and a torn toenail.

After Munroe’s 6-1, 6-3 victory over Dragana Ognenovska of Burroughs in the semifinals, Munroe spent 30 minutes taping her toes.

“They still hurt,” Munroe said. “I’m going to have to take some time off to let them heal.”

Munroe appeared unaffected by any physical problems early, breezing through the first set.

Romero steadily improved after the first set, showing more power as the match wore on.

She hit her peak early in the third set, taking a 3-0 lead.

“I wasn’t playing [well],” Munroe said. “I figured if I’m going to go down, I’m going to go down swinging.”

Munroe worked her way back into the set, winning four of five games and frustrating Romero.

“After those three quick games, she started playing a lot better,” Romero said. “I was making a lot of unforced errors, but I wanted to keep putting the pressure on.”

Romero had no problems before the final, defeating Beth Campbell of Hart, 6-1, 6-0, in the semifinals.

Pershing and Irinco reached the final by upsetting the second-seeded team of Catherine Pucci and Penny Letts of Hart, 6-3, 6-2. Romero and Hildreth defeated Nancy Hwang and Jamie Ladd, 6-1, 6-0, in the other semifinal.

Ognenovska defeated Campbell, 6-1, 6-2, for third place.