Photo of Peony Liu courtesy of Amanda Lin

Girls Tennis:

Thanks to Maranatha for this report:

Though the Lady Minutemen defeated Alhambra yesterday, Coach Arthur Hsieh wasn’t happy with his team’s approach, energy, and focus over the last two matches.

He held a team meeting before today’s match to address issues he and his coaching staff have been observing as of late.

The team responded maturely, taking ownership, and vowing to approach matches, opponents, and one another in an improved way.

For some, that meant more focus and attention to detail; for others, that meant playing with more heart and intelligence; and for still others, it meant playing with more trust in what’s been taught and with less fear of failure.

The result was a focus on playing tennis the way they know how to play, irrespective of who their opponents are.

Though they faced a largely inexperienced Vikings squad, the also-young, inexperienced Lady Minutemen focused on continuing to build what they hope their brand of tennis is going to be this season (and hopefully, in the years to come).

Playing without #1 doubles starter, Madison White, alternate Dora Wang was inserted into her first start of the season, alongside reigning league doubles champion, junior Mia Huang.

Playing in the #3 doubles position for the first time since the beginning of her freshman year, Huang served as the ideal mentor for Wang, who responded well.

The duo swept, 6-1, 6-0, 6-1. It was Wang’s first wins of her high school career.

#2 Peony Liu/Morgan Duran responded from their inconsistent play yesterday to put forth a consistently strong and focused effort throughout the match, emerging with their first sweep, 6-1, 6-1, 6-0.

#1 Diana Sarksyan/Jennifer Chu continued their slow and steady improvement and anchored the doubles squad with a 6-2, 6-1, 6-0 scoreline.

Though MHS’s singles lineup won their matchup yesterday, 5-4, it wasn’t their best showing.

They took a step forward towards rectifying that, with improved focus and execution.

By far, the Vikings’ singles players were their strongest, thus providing the most entertaining matchups of the day.

#1 Grace Yang and #2 Mia Su each responded with gutsy 6-4 wins against the Vikings’ #1 player, and defeated their #2, 6-1 and 6-3 respectively.

After the 1st round, Blair’s #3 player had to unexpectedly leave the match, forcing Blair to forfeit their final two sets at the #3 position.

#3 Kathryn Khalil played Blair’s #3 before she left, defeating her, 6-0.

Khalil then fell to their #1, 6-1, in a set much closer and more hard-fought than the scoreline indicates.

Maranatha substituted alternate, Juliana Zhang, for Khalil in the final round against the Vikings’ #2 singles.

Zhang shocked everyone by jumping out to a 2-0 lead, before her opponent settled down to outlast Zhang in many long rallies, to win 6-2.

The Lady Minutemen (5-1) will hold their first full practice in over 2 weeks on Wednesday, before heading on the road once again on Thursday – this time, to Duarte High School, where they hope to build on their desire to play consistent tennis.