Burbank tennis continues dominance over Burroughs
BURBANK — None of the current Burbank High girls’ tennis players have ever lost to Burroughs.
Bulldogs coach Loi Phan has never suffered defeat against the cross-town rival Indians in his 10 years coming into this season.
The Burbank players and their coach kept those dominant streaks intact in the first of two Pacific League season meetings between the squads Tuesday afternoon.
Led by a singles sweep, the Bulldogs defeated the visiting Indians, 16-2.
“I know we beat them and they also beat us in 1999 when we both shared the league title,” Burroughs coach Roy Bernhardt said. “But since then I don’t think we’ve ever beaten them.
“We have beaten Burbank on the boys’ side in recent years, but it’s been tough to beat them in girls for awhile now.”
Burbank (4-1 overall and in league), which will have a bye Thursday and take on defending league champion Arcadia on Sept. 26, has lost to only Crescenta Valley.
“I really didn’t talk to them about winning because of the rivalry or anything like that,” said Phan, whose team finished runner-up to Arcadia last season. “What’s more important is for us to just win in league, no natter who it’s against.
“Right now we’re playing for third place. Hopefully we can keep playing well and maybe we’ll have a chance to beat CV the next time and get a shot at second.”
The Bulldogs took control of the match early, jumping out to a 5-1 lead after the first round of sets. Burbank clinched the contest by going ahead, 10-2, after two rounds.
Burbank received strong play from its singles, as all three swept their three sets, with No. 1 Kristina Kirakosyan winning , 6-0, 6-1, 6-3, No. 2 Alice Avedikian winning, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2, and Johana Faraj winning, 6-0 (on a retirement), 6-3, 7-6 (7-2).
In doubles, the Bulldogs top squad of Elza Vardanyan and Bella La Manna swept, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3, as did the No. 2 duo of Emilie Siraki and Jinette Faraj, 6-1, 6-0, 6-1. Krystal Hirahara and Natalie Khachikian took one, 6-1.
“We have a winning streak against Burroughs, so we don’t want to stop that,” said Siraki, a senior. “We don’t want to break that streak because it would be really bad. …I’m glad we were able to win today.”
Burroughs (2-3, 2-2 in league) received wins from No. 2 doubles Alice Weber and Phuong Nguyen, 6-3, and the No. 3 duo of Savannah Dorris and Lea Prystupa, 6-2.
Twitter: @jefftsports
