Tennis

Maranatha Opens Olympic League Play w/14-4 Victory Over Village Christian; Lady Minutemen Doubles Went 9-0

Sep 21 2022 09:20:21

Girls Tennis:

In their first home match of the season, and the opening of Olympic League play, the Lady Minutemen wanted to come out strong and to play solid tennis from the outset.

They did just that, opening a 5-1 lead after the first round.

Doubles, who went a perfect 9-0 on the day, opened 6-1, 6-0, 6-0 in opening round play, while singles went 2 for 3.

All eyes were on the marquee match-up between two of the top singles players in the league, Maranatha’s #1, Stella Hsieh, and Village Christian’s #1, Karen Shin, who played #1 doubles on VC’s boys team this Spring, earning 1st-Team All-League, runner-up in the league tourney, and advancing to the 2nd round in the boys CIF-SS Individuals.

It was a slugfest as each player threw their best shots at each other.

Hsieh would take a one-game lead, only to have Shin break back to even the score. At 4-3, it was Hsieh who broke the pattern to take a 5-3 lead before closing it out, 6-3.

The two face off again in a couple of weeks for round 2; and it’s quite possible that they meet again in the finals of the season-ending league tournament.

Though their competition wasn’t strong, MHS’s doubles line up determined to stay focused and consistent, not dropping their level of play because of their opponents’ inexperience. If they can keep that up, and if they can keep improving their play throughout the season, it will bode well for the Lady Minutemen’s hopes for a league title.

In singles, #2 Natalie Arminak had a solid day, figthing through some tight situations. #3 Kathryn Khalil wasn’t able to garner a win, but competed, as did her final set replacement, Audrey Ayrapetyan, who volunteered to replace Kahili and face the hard-hitting Shin.

Doubles scores:
#1 Kasey McCoy/Esmee Eaton – 6-1, 6-0, 6-0
#2 Mia Huang/Mia Su – 6-0, 6-1, 6-0
#3 Nelli Breuer/Marie Wolfrum – 6-0, 6-2, 6-0

Singles scores:
#1 Stella Hsieh – 6-3, 6-0, 6-0
#2 Natalie Arminak – 0-6, 6-2, 6-3
#3 Kathryn Khalil – 2-6, 2-6
#3 Audrey Ayrapetyan – 0-6

Record/Up next: The Lady Minutemen improve to 4-3 overall and 1-0 in Olympic League play. Their next match is away against Whittier Christian at the La Habra Tennis Center at 1 p.m.

 

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