By Vincent Liu

With its postseason hopes literally riding on the back of a sophomore, the third-seeded Pinewood School girls tennis team knocked off Gunn and Santa Catalina last week to reach the semifinals of the Central Coast Section team playoffs.

The Panthers (20-0) were slated to face No. 7 Palo Alto Monday at Courtside Tennis Club in Los Gatos, with the winner taking on either Monta Vista or Menlo in today’s championship round. The final is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at Courtside.

The Panthers’ run for the title almost died prematurely Nov. 7 against unseeded Gunn. Sophomore sensation Lejla Hodzic, nationally ranked in the 15-year-old division, was forced to retire her match due to recurring pain from a torn muscle in her upper back.

The unexpected win at No. 1 singles allowed the Titans (6-11) a chance to pull off a major upset. With the match even at 3, the contest was decided by Pinewood’s top doubles team of Anne Yeh and Irene Guerra, who pulled out a three-set nail-biter.

With Hodzic’s back still tender but better two days later, the host Panthers beat No. 6 Santa Catalina 5-2 to remain undefeated.

Serving underhanded the entire match, Hodzic easily dispatched her opponent 6-1, 6-2 with blistering ground strokes from both sides that often could not be returned.

With her team knocking on the door of a potential showdown against perennial powerhouse Menlo, Pinewood coach Corinne Mansourian seemed more concerned about Hodzic’s back than the next opponent.

“It’s back to the chiropractor for Lejla,” Mansourian said.

Hodzic must be cleared by the doctor before each match, according to the coach.

Lean and athletically built, the 5-foot-9 Bosnian seems to combine the power of Steffi Graf and the gracefulness of Yvonne Goolagong.

“When she’s healthy, no one can touch her,” Mansourian said. “As long as the doctor gives the green light, Lejla can win serving underhanded.”