Shadow Hills’ Isabella Pimentel Wins Desert Empire League Title Undefeated
Since 2019, the Palm Desert girls’ tennis team has dominated the Desert Empire League, securing every singles and doubles league title. However, this year, the reign of Palm Desert came to an end in a remarkable fashion. Shadow Hills’ Isabella Pimentel emerged as the 2023 DEL singles champion, leaving a trail of defeated opponents in her wake. Pimentel showcased her exceptional skills throughout the tournament, winning her preliminary matches 8-0 and triumphing in the semifinals and finals with a score of 6-0, 6-0. This perfect record led to an unprecedented title: a flawless 40-0. As a senior, Pimentel had been eagerly awaiting this moment after finishing third in the previous two years.
“I’m feeling really great, but also very humble, because I couldn’t have done this without so much support,” Pimentel humbly remarked. “I’ve been working towards this for a while. It’s really fulfilling to achieve this, especially since it was my senior year with no next year.”
Palm Desert’s Rizvanbegovic Cousins Secure Consecutive DEL Doubles Championship
While Pimentel dominated the singles category, the Palm Desert team continued their victorious streak in doubles. Cousins Leyla and Sheyla Rizvanbegovic claimed their second consecutive DEL doubles championship, defeating their teammates Audrey Park and Zoe Lopez with a score of 6-1, 6-3. This marks Sheyla’s third consecutive title, having previously won with Namita Khanchustambham in 2021. Sheyla has an incredible record of over 80 consecutive DEL sets won, making this victory even more memorable as she reunited with her cousin Leyla, who had primarily played singles throughout the year.
“I had a fun undefeated season with partner Romy Kirsch, but it was great to get back with my cousin and cap off our senior year the same way we did last year,” Sheyla expressed. “I missed playing with her during the season because our chemistry is unmatched. I’ve had great partners over the years, but nothing compares to what we have together.”
Isabella Pimentel’s Dominant Performance
In the singles final against Palm Desert’s Allison Smith, Pimentel showcased her complete tennis package in an unstoppable manner. With a powerful serve and a repertoire of baseline groundstrokes, Pimentel kept Smith on her toes. While Smith managed to retrieve many of Pimentel’s shots, she struggled to string together enough points to challenge Pimentel’s dominance. Pimentel’s diverse game, including powerful shots, changes in pace, and skillful spins, sets her apart at the high school level. After hitting a particularly satisfying winner, she motivates herself with a spirited “Let’s go!” to carry that momentum into the next point.
“She’s an all-around player, and she got even stronger this year, which has made her dominant,” praised Knights coach Jason Leggett, commending Pimentel’s perfect season. “But her mental game is what truly sets her apart. She’s mentally stronger than her opponents, and she gradually wears them down.”
Pimentel attributes her success to her coaches, especially Gordon ZawTun, whom she began training with at the age of 7, as well as her family and teammates who provided unwavering support. Another key to her triumph is maintaining a balanced mindset throughout a match, never letting emotions run too high or low.
“I could easily become upset about the mistakes I make during a match, but I try not to do that and focus on playing one point at a time, keeping it consistent,” she shared. “Maintaining a stable mental state is crucial for me.”
Pimentel Hopes to Expand Tennis Program at Shadow Hills
Pimentel hopes that her remarkable achievement will have a lasting impact on the tennis program at Shadow Hills, even after she graduates. She became the first-ever Shadow Hills girls’ tennis player to win a DEL title and only the second non-Palm Desert player to do so, following Shekinah Daffon from Palm Springs in 2018. Additionally, no player has ever won a DEL title without losing a single game.
“I hope this brings positive exposure to our tennis program at Shadow Hills. Tennis isn’t well-known at our school, and I hope this attention encourages more people to join,” Pimentel expressed enthusiastically. “I love being part of the team and meeting new girls each year. It’s a fun way to stay involved at school.”
Bittersweet Ending for Palm Desert Doubles Team
The doubles final had a familiar feel, not only because all four participants were from Palm Desert, but also because they were all seniors. Park and Lopez, experienced players who had previously competed in the DEL individual final in 2021, faced the Rizvanbegovic cousins in a thrilling match. However, the Rizvanbegovics emerged victorious by committing fewer unforced errors. Their deep connection and understanding on the court allowed them to anticipate each other’s moves without needing to verbalize them. In a lighthearted comment, Leyla mentioned their “cousin telepathy” and explained, “We talk with our brains.” It was a joyous occasion for the duo to reunite and secure a second consecutive DEL doubles championship. Remarkably, they even wore the same outfits as the previous year.
“I’m extremely happy that I got to do this with my cousin, but it’s bittersweet knowing this is our last DEL match,” Leyla shared reflectively. “Ending our senior season with back-to-back wins is an amazing way to finish.”
All the finalists will advance to the CIF-SS individual tournament. La Quinta’s Juliana Guerrero clinched third place in singles after defeating Palm Desert’s Sydney Presser 6-3, 7-5. In the doubles competition, third place went to Xavier Prep’s Daisy Armstrong and Caroline Marcel, who triumphed over Hailey Goldstein and Trinity Miller, also from Xavier Prep.
The team tennis playoff pairings will be announced on Monday morning.
Shad Powers is a columnist for The Desert Sun. You can contact him at [email protected].
This article was originally published in The Palm Springs Desert Sun.
Jessica Roberts serves up the latest in the world of tennis. With a love for the racket sport, she reports on tennis matches, player rankings, and Grand Slam events, ensuring readers stay informed about the tennis world.