Lingman Loses but Makes Her Presence Felt

Villa Park senior Katey Becker met the future of county girls’ tennis Wednesday afternoon, and beat her.

But Woodbridge freshman Susanna Lingman is letting everyone know her day will come. Becker, ranked among the top 10 of Southern California junior players 18 and under, beat Lingman, ranked among the top 10 in 14-and-under players, 6-3. The third-ranked Warriors beat No. 4 Villa Park, 11-7, in a nonleague meet at Villa Park.

“It’s a little intimidating playing someone like Katey, but it gives me incentive, too,” Lingman said. “I want to play better, even though it’s [against] an upperclassman.”

After the first round, the meet was tied, 3-3, and Woodbridge led by one game. Villa Park Coach Sue Gardiner said she welcomed the competition. The Spartans had been winning by lopsided scores. Because of that, Becker, who recently returned from a recruiting trip to Washington, has not played in every meet. Becker swept Wednesday, 6-3, 6-4, 6-1.

When Lingman played Villa Park’s No. 2 singles player, freshman Arpi Kojian, it was the second time in less than a week the two had met. Lingman (41-4) won Wednesday, 6-2. Last weekend at a junior tournament at Los Caballeros Country Club, Kojian beat Lingman in doubles.

Lingman, who turns 14 Nov. 3, and Kojian are forging a rivalry in their age group. Kojian said they have met six times, including in doubles matches, and split.

Woodbridge’s No. 2 doubles team of Adriana Hockicko and April Artunian swept, 6-2, 6-1, 6-1.

The meet was the third of four in a row this week for the Spartans (10-2).

The Warriors, defending Southern Section Division III champions, are 12-3.