Lady netters look to next matches
Photo by Jacky Shum
by Anna Minasyan
Varsity and JV netters will face the Mark Keppel Aztecs Sept. 26 in their first league match.
The varsity netters ended preseason with a current record of 1-6, and the JV record is 2-3. Both teams lost to the Whittier Cardinals Sept. 18 with the same score, 17-1.
Varsity No.1 doubles team, Mariah De La Torre and Lauren Kim were defeated with scores of 6-3, 6-4 and 6-2. However, No. 3 doubles team, Hazel Gomez and Kaylee Lay, won one set, 6-1, but fell short in the other two sets, with scores of 6-2 and 6-0.
“As a first year varsity member, I am extremely nervous, yet excited, about entering league,” said Lay after their last preseason match. “During preseason I was able to experience what the varsity level was really like. The competition is tough, but we have to do our best.”
On Sept. 14, varsity lost a match against the Cal High Condors with set scores of 9-9 (81-76). Singles No. 2 Jessica Lew, was victorious, 6-2, but lost the two other sets, 6-2 while singles No. 3 Sofia Carmona won two sets, 6-3 and 6-2 but was defeated in one set 6-3.
“During preseason we have really gotten to know each other and the girls have an idea of what I expect from them,” said new JV Coach Michael Rubio. “I don’t expect us to win or lose, but I expect us to compete to the best of our ability. I teach the girls to not panic, to have confidence in each shot and most of all to have good sportsmanship.”
At a home game on Sept. 12 the JV team defeated the Covina Colts with a score of 11-7 while varsity lost 13-5. JV gained another win Sept. 7 against the El Monte Lions leading 10-8 at a home game with varsity falling short 13-5.
“This season we only have two returners. So we’ve been working on gaining experience at the varsity level. We face opponents that have similar or more experience and we’ve come out victorious and there were times we came up short,” said Varsity Coach Kristina Ballesteros.