Girls Tennis:
Thanks to Maranatha tennis for this report:
In the CIF-SS Division 4 playoffs, there’s #1 Mark Keppel and then there’s everyone else.
Via an improved but imperfect powerpoint formula that assigns schools to certain divisions each season, the Mark Keppel Aztecs, who were in Division 3 last season, were assigned to Divison 4 this year, giving them a clear window to claim the Division 4 championship as the most dominant team in the division. Had they been placed in Division 3, they still would be a top 8 team.
Those were the prospects facing the fledgling Lady Minutemen in the CIF-SS Division 4 semi-finals. With no tournament players on their roster, and with the Aztecs’ roster filled with tournament players, this was a David v. Goliath matchup.
Despite having lost to Keppel earlier this season, 14-4 (with the Aztecs missing their best player), the Lady Minutemen prepared for and were determined to show them that they had improved and were ready to put up a fight. And fight they did.
With the stakes so high, Keppel brought their fully-loaded lineup, including their top player, Dana Kunza; possibly the top player in the division.
Knowing the first round would be crucial to their hopes for an upset, Maranatha hoped to come out of the round with a 3-3 tie or a 4-2 deficit, at worst, in order to stay within striking distance.
With the lone win in the first 5 sets at the #3 singles spot, courtesy of Audrey Loh (6-1), all eyes turned to #3 doubles, Nelli Breuer/Marie Wolfrum, who saw their 3-0 lead evaporate. With a set point at 5-4, they weren’t able to capitalize on the chance and wound up in a tie-breaker at 6-6. Though behind, 5-2, in the tie-break, the Aztecs were able reel off 5 straight points to stun Breuer/Wolfrum with a 7-5 win, giving the Aztecs a 5-1 lead.
In the second round, #2 doubles, Mia Huang/Mia Su, were able to secure a 6-1 win, as was Arminak. If #1 singles, Stella Hsieh, could pull off the win against the Aztecs’ #2 singles, Noor Abani (another ranked tournament player), the 2nd round would be evenly split at 3-3.
It was the most exciting set of the day, as the set swung back and forth throughout. Hsieh had an opportunity to get some separation at 3-2, 40-15; however, a couple of untimely double faults cost her that chance. Abani won the next game to take a 4-3 lead. Hsieh battled back to tie it at 4-4. In the end, Abani was able to outlast Hsieh, 6-4, giving the Aztecs an insurmountable 9-3 lead, sealing the victory. Even if Maranatha was able to even the score at 9-9, Keppel had more games to break the tie.
Thus ended the magical season of a team that Coach Arthur Hsieh said got the most from of what they had out of any girls team he’s ever coached. Today’s loss also ended their memorable and unexpected 14 match winning streak.
It was a season beyond expectations for the Lady Minutemen. Playing in their 5th semi-finals in the last 10 years, this team became the first MHS girls team to make the semi-finals in Division 4. The previous 4 appearances (with 2 of them ending in CIF-SS championships in 2014 and 2018) were in Division 5.
This team also won the Olympic League title with an undfeated 8-0 record (their 8th in 10 years).
On the individual side of things, Stella Hsieh and Kasey McCoy/Esmee Eaton won both the league MVP awards for singles and doubles, and were the league tournament champions. Each will represent the Olympic League in the prestigious CIF-SS Individuals sectionals on November 21.
Today’s match also caps the stellar careers of 4-year starters, Stella Hsieh and Audrey Loh, and 2-year starter, Kasey McCoy, each of who will be sorely missed.
Photo of seniors Kasey McCoy, Stella Hsieh, and Audrey Loh courtesy of Amanda Lin
Baseball: I’ll start by saying that Chino Hills absolutely earned its 4-3 Baseline League victory over their visitors from Los Osos. The Grizzlies had their chances on Wednesday, they made some mistakes on defense, and they came up short. The Huskies should be commended for securing the No. 3 seed out of the very tough […]
Boys Tennis: Claremont (doubles), Ayala (singles), Glendora (singles) and Alta Loma doubles all went home Wednesday as Palomares League finals champions. Claremont’s Caleb Fong & Mateen Ghafarshad faced their fellow Wolfpack teammates, Liad Geldwet & Josh Bonner. Fong & Ghafarshad cruised in a 6-0 and 6-1 victory in the finals. Ayala’s Brandon Vu claimed the […]
Boys Tennis: Thanks to La Salle coach, Javier Djeu for this season recap: What a tremendous year it was for the Lancers boys’ tennis program. They’ll wrap up their regular season play with individual prelims and finals this week. In doubles, La Salle took first, second and third place. In singles, we took third place […]
Baseball: In yet another recurring plot twist, Damien regained control of the Baseline League penthouse on Wednesday. After the Spartans 6-4 victory over Etiwanda, and with Chino Hills defeating Los Osos, 4-3, DHS enters the final game of the 2024 regular season with a one-half game lead over the second-place Grizzlies. Nathan Ries struggled, but […]
Photos by Gwen Pointer Baseball: Thanks to Wednesday’s 4-1 victory at West Covina, Charter Oak takes a one-game lead over the Bulldogs for second place in the Valle Vista League. COHS and WCHS meet up again on Friday in the regular season finale at Charter Oak. Zack Escalera went six innings, and he allowed one […]
Photos by Cyara Vasquez Editor’s Note: GHS did not post their stats on MaxPreps or Game Changer Softball: After surrendering five runs in the top of the second inning, Bonita ended the game on a 15-0 run. The Bearcats defeated the visiting Tartans, 15-5, in six innings. Kaitlyn Maaske started and allowed five runs (three […]
Photos by Beth Oualline Baseball: For the second consecutive game, Glendora had a lead in the middle innings against the Palomares League champs. And for the second straight game, Bonita rallied and went on to defeat the Tartans. On Wednesday, GHS led 3-0 in the fourth, and they possessed a 3-2 advantage as the game […]
College Baseball: PCC is ending the 2024 regular season portion of their schedule with some momentum. After two consecutive wins over Cerritos and a slugfest victory at Chaffey, the Lancers traveled to San Bernardino Valley College on Wednesday. Jameson Ferraro and Ben Griffith combined to hold the Coyotes bats mostly silent throughout PCC’s 3-1 victory. […]
Editor’s Note: El Monte doesn’t post their roster online, so I couldn’t mention any of their players. Baseball: Marshall Fundamental officially wrapped up the No. 3 seed out of the Mission Valley League. The Eagles cruised to an 11-1 victory over last-place El Monte on Tuesday. With one MVL game to play, Marshall holds a […]
