Boys Tennis:
Joshua Im and Shahe Yerevanian entered the final day of the Coastal League Individuals Tournament with the hopes of winning the doubles championship.
In their semi-finals match, the #1 seeds, Im/Yerevanian dominated their #4 seeded opponents from Geffen Academy at UCLA, Tyler Aldave/Oliver Lewis, 6-0, 6-3, playing focused and energetic tennis that didn’t allow their opponents to get on track.
In the finals, they faced the #2 seeds from Geffen, Vincent Mirisch/Collin Chen.
It was close and tight throughout, with neither side owning more than a one game lead the entire match.
The outcome of the match came down to consistency.
Im/Yerevanian had far more winners and exciting, eye-opening plays; however, they also had far more head-scratching unforced errors as well, led by multiple double faults each service game, and in key moments.
If Im/Yerevanian were able to cut the number of unforced errors down, they would undoubtedly have won.
They far surpassed their counterparts on offense, while being comparable defensively.
It was the “middle game” (neither offensive or defensive) that let them down, causing them to fall just short, 6-4, 6-4.
The two sets were near carbon copies of one another, with Im/Yerevanian winning the opening games, going up 2-1, only to have each set tied, 2-2, with a tug-of-war.
They would take a 4-3 lead, and then have the set tied at 4-4.
Multiple deuces would ensue, but Im/Yerevanian would go to the changeover down 4-5, before falling in the final game of the set.
Their final game was particularly difficult to swallow.
Serving at 30-15, Chen double-faulted, but Im/Yerevanian played on, losing the point and bringing the score to 40-15 instead of 30-all.
Though Im did not repeat as league doubles champion and Yerevanian did not capture his first title, their effort cannot be questioned.
They gave their best effort today and produced enough great tennis to leave the spectators on the edge of their seats.
Im/Yerevanian had a great tournament run, and their 2nd place finish ensures that they will be able to participate in the prestigious CIF-SS Individuals Tournament on May 18.
Photo of today’s league semi-finalists and finalists courtesy of Amanda Lin
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