TENNIS: CALABASAS -H.-W. SHOWDOWN SET.

Byline: Heather Gripp Staff Writer

This year was supposed to be more difficult. The team's top doubles players had graduated, the most experienced singles player is just a sophomore and the defending team champion from a larger division had joined the mix. All were factors the Calabasas High girls' tennis team figured would make repeating as Southern Section Division IV champion more challenging than winning the '99 title.

But the only thing that has puzzled the Coyotes during a season more dominating than last year's is how they could be ranked No. 1 in the division all season, then be seeded second for the playoffs.

Last year's team had three losses, but Calabasas enters today's division semifinal undefeated and looking for a team to provide a close match at least. Harvard-Westlake of North Hollywood, the defending Division III champion, tries to become that team when the third-seeded Wolverines play at Calabasas at 2 p.m.

Unseeded Chaminade of West Hills is the region's third representative in the only division with locals remaining. The Eagles host Corona del Mar.

Calabasas (20-0) and Harvard-Westlake (14-5) met early in the season with the Coyotes winning 13-5. But the Wolverines were without No. 1 singles player Stephanie Berg, who lost just one game in Harvard-Westlake's 17-1 quarterfinal victory over South Pasadena. The senior combines with Jessica Leck and Karissa Hazy to provide a commanding threat in singles.

To advance, the experienced threesome must overcome Calabasas' young but talented singles players who anchor a program formerly known for its doubles. Sophomore Erin Everly and freshmen Celia Durkin and Monica Wiesner are a combined 163-3. Durkin is undefeated and Wiesner, who beat last year's league champion, Everly, for the Frontier singles title, has just one loss.

And the Coyotes are still strong in doubles. As one of just two seniors on the team, Andrea Leewong leads a doubles contingent capable of stopping Harvard-Westlake's No. 1 pair of Shilpa Madhaven and Katelyn Rader.

A lack of tight matches might be the Coyotes' biggest obstacle.

After breezing through their final season in the Frontier League - Calabasas moves to the Marmonte League next season - the Coyotes have faced an equally easy time in the postseason. None of the three teams they've faced placed better than third in their respective leagues. Tuesday's 14-4 victory over Northwoods was Calabasas' closest playoff match.

To make Monday's final an all-local event, Chaminade (16-2) must overcome the No. 1 seed. Jen Sager and Christine Ong already helped the Mission League's second-place team upset one seeded opponent when the freshmen swept their singles sets during Tuesday's 11-7 victory over No. 4 San Luis Obispo.

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Photo: Sophomore Erin Everly is one of three top-flight singles players who will try to keep undefeated Calabasas rolling.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer