A.J. Olson and Diana Khoury

Steve Virgen

When the Newport Harbor High girls tennis team took on Woodbridge in

a key Sea View League matchup Oct. 21, the Sailors were obviously

emotionally charged.

Yet, for Newport seniors Diana Khoury and A.J. Olson there was a

calmness about them. They knew what they were capable of and they

also knew the seemingly limitless amount of confidence they had in

each other.

They’ve been there, done that. When Khoury and Olson play

together, they know they can win, and win they did.

The Sailor senior duo, playing at No. 1 doubles, swept their sets

over the Warriors, including a 6-1 victory over Lily Cao, Samantha

Reeve which set the tone for Newport. The Sailors defeated

Woodbridge, 10-8, to climb back into the Sea View League title race.

“They had a lot of momentum after they won their first set, and

they kept everyone into the match,” Newport Coach Fletcher Olson

said. “They are very confident in each other and they know where each

other will be at all times.”

Fletcher Olson had a strong feeling the tandem would be compatible

when she paired them up last year. She noticed A.J. Olson’s effective

game at the net would mesh well with Khoury’s powerful ground

strokes.

“It just kind of happened that we clicked,” said A.J. Olson, who

is not related to the Newport coach. “Diana has excellent ground

strokes, and she’s extremely consistent. She just hits it hard,

making it more difficult for the other team to hit back.”

Khoury, whose versatility allows her to play singles as well, also

has a high respect for A.J. Olson’s game.

“She really gets into the game,” Khoury said. “I like the baseline

and she’s a good [player when it comes to the volley].”

A.J. Olson and Khoury both said the reason they also play so well

is because they get along with each other off the court, too. A.J.,

which stands for Adrienne Jean, is the outgoing, funny type, while

Khoury seems to be the more laid-back person.

This year, they also share two classes together for the first time

in their four years at Newport, taking Advance Placement government

and AP calculus.

“She’s funny,” Khoury said. “We have our inside jokes on the court

and off the court, too.”

Said A.J. Olson: “She’s just a really friendly person and she

smiles a lot. She’s just fun to be around.”

The Warriors would probably have to disagree about the Newport

duo’s friendly personalities. A.J. Olson and Khoury, the Daily Pilot

Athletes of the Week, did not hold back against Woodbridge.

After their victory over Cao and Reeve, the Newport tandem also

recorded 6-1 and 6-3 wins, as they dropped just five games in

grabbing their three sets, which helped lead the Sailors to the 10-8

triumph over their Sea View League rivals.

“The greatest thing about putting them at No. 1 doubles,” Fletcher

Olson said, “[is that] you’re very confident that they can put up

three, or at least two sets every match. That is so valuable.

“They are also excellent leaders. They are very good about going

to the other courts and inspiring others.”