Koloski and Chodur Dominate Semifinals, Clash Awaits in Ojai Final
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Ojai, Calif. - The 124th Ojai Tennis Tournament will feature two of the tournament's hardest hitters and will likely be decided by the player who can push their opponent back and take control of the baseline.
Chabot College sophomore Mina Koloski, a back to back Coast Conference champion, impressed against Orange Coast College's Mebuki Kitakuni, the 2026 Orange Empire Women's Tennis Player of the Year.
Koloski controlled the match from the start. Her first serve percentage was high, which allowed her to follow up with aggressive third balls, using her forehand to take charge of points. One of the most impressive parts of her game was how well she held her position on the baseline. She was rarely pushed back, which let her step into shots and stay in control of rallies. She was also able to pick up several free points off her serve, which can be quite sneaky.
Kitakuni showed some fight in the second set and was able to take charge on some points, but every time the score reached 30-30, Koloski had an answer. She stayed composed, took control of those moments, and closed out games without letting momentum shift.
In the end, Koloski's complete game and low number of unforced errors led to a convincing 6-1, 6-1 win.
In the other semifinal, Los Angeles Mission College Amy Nghiem faced College of the Canyons Emma Chodur, and the match followed a similar pattern. Chodur was in control from the first point to the last.
Chodur dictated play from the baseline with strong, penetrating groundstrokes that kept Nghiem on the defensive. She took advantage of any short ball, stepping in and finishing points. After taking a 3-0 lead in the first set, she continued to serve well and earned several free points with her first serve. When rallies developed, she stepped inside the court and controlled the pace, giving Nghiem very little chance to respond.
Chodur won the first set 6-2 and carried that momentum into the second. Even when Nghiem showed some fight, Chodur raised her level and stayed in control. After a 30 minute rain delay, play resumed, and it was not long before Chodur closed out the match 6 2, 6 2.
Tomorrow's final should be a good one. Both players like to play from the baseline and take control of points. They are consistent, hit with pace, and look to dictate play early in rallies. The match will likely come down to serving, especially who can keep a higher first serve percentage.
A strong first serve will make it harder for either player to attack the first ball, which often shapes the point. Another key factor will be who can pick up free points, whether from their serve or by finishing at the net. Both players are willing to move forward and end points with a volley when the opportunity presents itself.
In the women's doubles play, Chabot College Mina Koloski and her doubles partner Gracie Barco advance to the semifinals with a convincing 6-0, 6-4 win against Riverside City College Julianna Capraro and Angelina Capraro.
They will face Bakersfield College Naomi Pavletich and Kailani Lua at 8:30 a.m. after they defeated American River College Subha Patel and Nica Angel Sobrepena.
In the bottom half of the doubles draw, LA Mission College Priscilla Grinner and Jaelyn Rivera handled the team of Sierra College Emma Patterson and Svetlana Nyu 6-1, 6-2. They face College of the Canyons Emma Chodur and Baylee Renfro after the dismissed Orange Coast College Mebuki Kitakuni and Kaylee Ho 7-6, 6-1.
Courtesy of Bo Navarro, CCCSIA