By Steve Pratt
FLUSHING, N.Y. – Redondo Beach resident and former Mira Costa High standout Maegan Manasse fulfilled a lifelong dream by playing in the U.S. Open American Collegiate Invitational.
The UC-Berkeley junior was selected as one of eight NCAA women’s tennis players to compete in the special three-day event taking place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York.
Manasse had her chances in the first set against former University of Georgia star Lauren Herring, but was eliminated 7-6 (6), 6-1.
Manasse came to Cal as an unheralded recruit and started her freshman year as the No. 6 player on the team. In just over a year, Manasse became one of the best collegians in the nation as she had a stint as the No. 1 player in college tennis last year and finished ranked No. 6 in the final ITA singles poll.
“I thought I played really well,” Manasse said. “The first set was really tough. I was up 4-2, and I think I had my chances to go up 5-2. But she just picked up her game. At the beginning of the match, she was making a few 
Photo Courtesy of USTA
errors, and I took advantage of that. Towards the middle of the first set, when she started coming back, she was making everything and really putting pressure on me. It was a great match.
Still, Manasse enjoyed her first visit to the U.S. Open.
“It’s been amazing,” she said. “The first night I came here – I came here Tuesday night – I saw the lights in Arthur Ashe Stadium, and I was like, ‘Whoa, I’m finally here!’ It’s amazing. I’ve seen it on TV. Just walking around, especially having credentials and getting in everywhere, it’s crazy! It’s been a great experience.
“As a kid I always dreamed of becoming a professional tennis player and, of course, playing in the slams. I’m really happy that this is my first experience here. It’s been amazing. Even though I lost, the whole experience overall has been great.”
