Girls Tennis:
Thanks to Maranatha for this report
It was Finals Day at the Olympic League Individuals Tournament at Whittier Narrows Tennis Center in So. El Monte. Maranatha was well represented, with representatives in each of the day’s four matches.
In the singles final, Maranatha’s Stella Hsieh, the league’s top player, faced off against Village Christian’s Mia Martinez, the tournament’s #2 seed. Each were absolutely dominant in the semifinals, winning 6-0, 6-0.
Feeling the weight of the moment, both players started off slowly, over-hitting and going for too much. Hsieh, a finalist last year, leaned on her experience and made the appropriate adjustments, harnessing her adrenaline to play a more consistent brand of tennis. That helped her break open a close 2-1 score, to give her the first set, 6-2.
The second set saw both players settle down to play a higher level of tennis. Hsieh was determined, however, not to allow Martinez get into a groove by imposing her will with a well-executed game plan. She skillfully kept her opponent off-balance and on the run with varied and deliberate shot-making. The result was a convincing 6-0 second set and the singles championship.
The doubles championship featured MHS’s Kasey McCoy/Esmee Eaton, the #2 seed, against Valley Christian’s Julie Kim/Jiselle Park, the #4 seed. McCoy/Eaton started off strongly, jumping out to a 4-1 advantage, while their opponents struggled with nerves. Kim/Park showed resolve, however, and roared back, pulling ahead, 6-5. McCoy/Eaton were able to respond to tie the set at 6-6 and force a tie-breaker, which they were able to win, 7-4.
Having gone to a third set super tie-breaker yesterday, and narrowly surviving, 11-9, McCoy Eaton turned up their game. With Hsieh winning her title on the next court, it was evident that they took notice and also wanted their own gold medal. It was the most inspired tennis they’ve played all season, and the result was a dominant 6-1 victory, culminating with a McCoy ace to secure the title.
With today’s wins, Hsieh and McCoy/Eaton, will represent the Olympic League in the prestigious CIF-SS Individuals Tournament, featuring the top 2 singles players and doubles teams from every league in the Southern Section, the largest section in California.
McCoy/Eaton also secured the league doubles MVP award with their performance this week. They were tied with fellow teammates, Mia Huang/Mia Su at the end of the league season. League bylaws state that in the case of a tie for MVP, the league tournament will decide. That gives Maranatha a clean sweep of league MVP’s, as Hsieh is the runaway league singles MVP.
In consolation action, MHS’s #6 seed, Natalie Arminak, a surprise semifinalist after upsetting the #3 seed, Naomi Harris, yesterday, lost to #4 Karen Shin from Village Christian, 6-3, 6-0.
In doubles, the #1 seed from Maranatha, Huang/Su, were involved in the tournament’s longest match, a near 3 hour dogfight with the #3 seed from Valley Christian, Nicole Chang/Joey Meeks. Both teams narrowly lost their semifinal matches yesterday; each succumbing by the narrowest of margins in 3rd set super tie-breakers (8-10 and 9-11 respectively).
The first set went to the pair from MHS, 7-6(4), while the team from VCHS responded with a 6-3 win in second set, forcing a third and final set. Learning from their loss in the semifinals, a match they had control of but didn’t put away, Huang/Su were determined not to let that happen again. They believed they should have been in today’s finals, but resolved to at least win 3rd place. That they did, playing relentless tennis and securing a 6-3 final set victory.
Huang/Su are now the Olympic League doubles alternates, in case one of the top two teams are unable to play in the CIF-SS Individuals Tournament.
Singles Final:
#1 Hsieh (MHS) d. #2 Martinez (VCS) 6-2, 6-0
Doubles Final:
#2 McCoy/Eaton (MHS) d. #5 Kim/Park (VCHS) 7-6(4), 6-1
Singles Consolation:
#4 Shin (VCS) d. #6 Arminak (MHS) 6-3, 6-0
Doubles Consolation:
#1 Huang/Su (MHS) d. #3 Chang/Meeks (VCHS) 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-3
The Lady Minutemen now set their sights on the CIF-SS team playoffs, which start next week. The draws will be released on Monday.
Photo of Arminak, Su, Huang, McCoy, Hsieh, Eaton courtesy of Sandra Hsieh
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