Photo of Stella Hsieh courtesy of Amanda Lin

Thanks to Maranatha for this report:

Girls Tennis:

In the season opener for both schools, head coaches Arthur Hsieh (MHS) and Scott Eaton (PHS) were able to gauge where their teams were at.

Since they both call the PHS courts home this season, they’ve seen each other practice everyday over the past week.

Today’s match was particularly helpful for Coach Hsieh to evaluate his team, as 9 of his 12 players are new, with 10 players being underclassmen.

Maranatha started off nervously and slowly, seeming a bit lost at first.

With the exception of senior singles standout, #1 Stella Hsieh, and newcomer, #2 Natalie Arminak, everyone else was struggling deep into the first round, with both #1 and #3 doubles (Kasey McCoy/Esmee Eaton and Mia Huang/Mia Su) down 1-5 after winning the first game, #2 doubles (Marie Wolfrum/Nelli Breuer) down 2-5, and #3 singles, Kathryn Khalil behind 2-4.

It looked like MHS would trail the Bulldogs 2-4 after the first round of play.

Though inexperienced, the young Lady Minutemen showed they have heart and grit.

Both McCoy/Eaton and Huang/Su dug themselves out of their 1-5 holes to each win 7-6 (3), while Khalil also came back and won, 6-4.

What looked like a sure 2-4 1st round deficit turned into a 5-1 lead, with Hsieh (6-1) and Arminak (6-4) posting strong wins.

The impressive comebacks helped turn the tide and gave the Lady Minutemen both a large lead and momentum heading into the final two rounds, which they won, 7-5.

Both Hsieh (6-1, 6-0, 6-0) and McCoy/Eaton (7-6, 6-2, 6-2) swept, while Arminak (6-4, 6-2) and Huang/Su (7-6, 6-2) each won 2 sets. Khalil (6-4) and Wolfrum/Breuer (6-2) each won 1 set.

Up next: Maranatha travels to San Gabriel on Thursday at 3:15.

Records: MHS (1-0); PHS (0-1)