VIKINGS TENNIS TEAM HUMBLED.

Byline: SEAN CEGLINSKY Staff Writer

The Valencia High girls' tennis team, ranked No. 6 by the Daily News, knew it was going to be in for a tough test on Wednesday against Calabasas, ranked No. 2.

The Vikings didn't think they would get completely humbled though.

The Coyotes opened up an early lead in the first round. Then Valencia was unable to recover in the second round en route to the 14-4 nonleague loss in a match at Calabasas.

``We got shellacked,'' said Valencia's Annie Kellogg. ``They had a strong lineup all the way through. I can see why everyone expects them to do well.''

Lehren MacKay and Courtney Kafka, playing No. 2 doubles, won two of three sets and Monique Palmera and her partner Chloe Kwock won a set as well. Thalia Wilczynski won a singles set to forfeit.

Things don't figure to get any easier for Valencia, which must regroup quickly and prepare for a pair of difficult road matches later this week. The Vikings go to No. 4 Thousand Oaks on Friday, followed by the SCTA First Serve Tournament in Torrance on Saturday.

``Sure these matches are hard, but we're going to get better in the long run, having played against tough competition,'' Kellogg said.

sean.ceglinsky(at)dailynews.com

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