Hayashi Tops Fazekas in all-Tam NCS Final

Although there could be only one winner in the in Wednesday's North Coast Section (NCS) Division II girls singles championship, Tam coach Bill Washauer said the real winner was Tam and the its girls tennis program.

Tam's top singles player Chelsea Hayashi defeated teammate and fellow sophomore Hillary Fazekas 6-4, 6-2 in the final Wednesday, maintaining command of the match throughout.

"Chelsea played well and Hillary did not play up to the level that she set yesterday, and that was the difference," Washauer said. "It's tough to play your own teammate. We told them both, 'go out there and have fun and you're not going to get any coaching."

Since the NCS awards pennants to both the first- and second-place winners, Tam was already assured of raising two banners at the school in honor of Hayashi and Fazekas.

"To know you're coming home with two, OK I guess people will let me stick around for another year," Washauer joked.

After losing in the Marin County Athletic League (MCAL) championship to Redwood earlier this month, Tam last week. That and Hayashi's title completed a great season, Washauer said.

The team will lose four seniors - Essie Winer, Zoe Arthur, Alex Goldstein and Tai Hirabayashi – to graduation, but returns several of its top performers, including Hayashi and Fazekas.

"This was a really great season," Washauer said. "And I expect to have another one next year."