La Cañada girls’ tennis completes sweep of South Pasadena

LA CAÑADA — With its No. 1 singles player out of the lineup because of a previous engagement, the La Cañada High girls’ tennis team still had plenty in reserve during a key Rio Hondo League match Tuesday.

Looking to put a virtual lock on second place in league entering the final couple of weeks of the regular season, the Spartans swept all nine singles sets to post an 11-7 home win against South Pasadena.

While the Spartans (6-3, 4-1 in league) were without Cassie McKenzie, who was returning from Hawaii after competing in a national tournament, they received sweeps from Sophie McKenzie (6-0, 6-0, 6-0), Nicole Son (6-1, 6-4, 7-5) and Natalie Petrosian (6-3, 6-3, 6-2) to complete the two-match season sweep against the Tigers (8-3, 2-3).

“It’s a huge win, no doubt,” said La Cañada Coach Will Moravec, whose team posted an 11-7 road win against South Pasadena on Sept. 24. “It likely solidified the No. 2 spot in league and we did it against a great lineup in South Pasadena.

“We needed everybody to step up and give it their all. Nicole and Natalie stepped it up, plus we got two key sets in doubles.”

Solenn Matuska and Ashley Chun teamed up to record a 6-2 win and clinched the victory. Earlier, the duo earned a 7-6 (9-7) win.

“It’s a big match, so we knew we needed to play well,” Matsuka said. “Ashley and I have been trying to build some consistency with our play.

“We try to have a faster memory if we lose a point and get back at it. We’re at our best when I’m going to the net and Ashley hitting strokes.”