Harpster Twins Enter CIF Tennis Tournament as Top Seeds
The Del Norte High School seniors carry an undefeated record into the CIF San Diego Section individual girls tennis tournament.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Tennis
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Twin seniors Samantha and Savannah Harpster enter the CIF San Diego Section individual girls tennis tournament as the No. 1 seeds. The pair heads into the competition at the Balboa Tennis Club following a dominant season.
Why it matters
The Harpster twins hope to improve upon their finish from last year, when the duo was eliminated in the tournament semifinals. Their success this season has been driven by aggressive net play and a consistent verbal connection on the court.
The sisters currently hold a 20-0 record this season, having dropped only one set throughout their matches. Samantha Harpster maintains a 4.1 GPA, while Savannah Harpster holds a 4.12 GPA.
The players
Samantha Harpster
She is a senior at Del Norte High School who has signed a soccer scholarship to attend UC Santa Barbara.
Savannah Harpster
She is a senior at Del Norte High School and serves as the school's ASB president.
Teddy Safford
He is the 79-year-old grandfather of the twins and works as an arborist.
The details
Samantha and Savannah Harpster, students at Del Norte High School, secured their top seeding after winning the Coastal League doubles title last week. The duo credits their aggressive style to their grandfather, Teddy Safford, and views their current partnership as a significant milestone following Samantha's previous elbow injury.
Timeline
The twins won the Coastal League doubles title last week.
The CIF girls tennis tournament occurs this week at Balboa Tennis Club.
Season Trajectory
The tournament results will define the postseason hierarchy for the CIF San Diego Section. Success here significantly impacts the sisters' legacy as they conclude their final high school season.
As the No. 1 seeds, the Harpster twins face the highest level of pressure to advance beyond the semifinal round where they were eliminated last year. Their performance this week will determine their final standing in the section's competitive rankings.
The takeaway
The twins' success highlights the importance of effective communication and tactical training in high-level doubles tennis. Their ability to balance academic excellence with competitive athletics demonstrates the high standard required for elite high school sports.
Further reading
For more local court coverage, visit San Diego Tennis.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Diego Union-Tribune.
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