Muradoglu, Crescenta Valley girls’ tennis roll past Glendale
GLENDALE — Already able to speak three languages, Melissa Rosa Muradoglu is ready to meet her next challenge.
The sophomore Crescenta Valley High girls’ tennis player is the team’s No. 1 singles player after previously playing tennis in France and Turkey.
Muradoglu turned in an impressive effort Thursday, winning all three of her sets, to help visiting Crescenta Valley record a 16-2 Pacific League win against Glendale.
Muradoglu, who speaks English, French and Turkish, lost just one game to aid the Falcons (5-1, 4-1 in league).
“I’ve gotten a lot of experience having played the last nine years,” said Muradoglu, who was born in La Crescenta and played tennis last season in France. “We have a real good team and it’s an honor to play at No. 1 singles. I know it carries a big responsibility and I’m up to doing my best.
“I’ll do anything I can to help the team out and I’m getting more comfortable with the speed of the game.”
Crescenta Valley, ranked No. 1 in CIF Southern Section Division III, won all nine singles sets, getting three wins from Victoria Borkowski (6-0, 6-0, 7-5), two from Polin Crete (6-3, 6-4) and one from Anjana Srivanan (6-2).
The Falcons, who advanced to the Division III quarterfinals last season after taking third in league, got three victories in doubles from Rachel Shin and Michelle Jung (6-4, 6-4, 6-3). Shin and Jung are the reigning All-Area Girls’ Doubles Team of the Year.
Crescenta Valley got two wins in doubles from Camille Gibney and Kiran Hamkins (6-2, 7-5) and one each from Marina Saroyan and Leah Baghdasarian (7-5) and Jenny Hwang and Ann Kim (6-4).
“We have almost everybody back from last year in doubles, so we are more experienced and mature,” Crescenta Valley coach San Hyun said. “We’re starting to get stronger in singles, too.”
Glendale (5-3, 2-3) got wins in doubles from Emi Guzman and Nicole Avakian (6-2) and Michelle Yolyan and Celine Khachiki (6-4).
Glendale first-year coach Tom Gossard, a Crescenta Valley High graduate and former Crescenta Valley coach from 1995-2009, said the Nitros couldn’t match the Falcons’ experience.
“CV was just better than us,” said Gossard, who guided the Falcons to nine Pacific League championships and finished no lower than second. “They dominated from the first shot to the last shot.
“It’s been nine years since I coached at CV and it’s different players now. It was good to see Sam.”
The teams will meet again Oct. 17 at Crescenta Valley.
Twitter: @TCNCharlesRich
