Irvin Wins With Comeback

Marissa Irvin of Harvard-Westlake High defeated Lauren Kalvaria of Indiatlantic, Fla., 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, to win the girls’ 18 championship at the Easter Bowl junior tennis tournament Friday at Riviera Resort and Racquet Club in Palm Springs.

Top-seeded Irvin, who has signed with Stanford, defeated second-seeded Kalvaria in a two hour, 10 minute match.

“I would have been satisfied with this tournament if I had lost or won,” Irvin said. “She played very well.

“Her style’s different than any other player. She hits with a lot of topspin, she’s a good volleyer and she’s aggressive.”

Kalvaria won the opening set when Irvin double-faulted on the final three points.

“I was pretty upset with myself in the first [set], but I buckled down and focused on winning points,” Irvin said.

“The match was a few points here and there,” Kalvaria said. “My only goal was to run down every ball and make it more difficult for her.”

Andrew Park of San Marino won the boys’ 18 title, defeating Matias Becker of Miami, 6-1, 6-3.

Irvin won a Waterford crystal vase and will receive a wild card into a women’s professional tournament later this year.

A total of 448 players from 40 states competed in the Easter Bowl, the opening event of the junior tennis season.