Troy’s Success Is Tale of Three Sisters

It’s practically all in the family for Fullerton Troy High.

The Warriors (5-1, 1-0 in the Freeway League) are fourth in The Times’ rankings, thanks largely to sisters Veronica, Serena and Clarissa Fermin, who make up a third of the team.

Veronica, a senior, plays at No. 1 doubles with junior Calina Ciobanu. They are 16-2 in sets.

Serena, a junior, and Clarissa, a freshman, play singles, along with senior Aya Sakoda.

Clarissa is 14-1 this season, Serena 9-6, and Sakoda 8-3. The three have been rotated through the lineup by Coach Donna Judd.

That is fine with the Fermins, though Serena and Sakoda, who split time in the No. 1 position last year, have often had to surrender the top spot to Clarissa.

“I think we’re all about the same level,” Serena said. “We warm up together, and it’s actually pretty cool to play each other every day.”

The sisters also push and help each other--and their teammates--each day.

“I just love being out there, competing,” Clarissa said. “We’re pretty intense, but you don’t take it personally.”

Veronica agreed, saying, “If one of us needs to hit more, we’ll do it, and we help each other improve. And just having my sisters there is really nice. It’s a good support system.”

For their team as well.

“I consider myself very fortunate,” Judd said. “But if a cold hits the Fermin family, we’re in trouble.”

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Too close for comfort: Tight competition was in order last week, with several teams involved in close calls.

Garden Grove scored a Garden Grove League opener from Bolsa Grande on the basis of games won, 85-69.

Esperanza took a Sunset League victory over Huntington Beach on games, 42-39.

In nonleague matches, Brea Olinda defeated Sonora on points, 110-100, and Calabasas edged Peninsula on games, 73-72.

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Top tournament: The 16-team field for the second National High School All-American girls’ invitational tournament Friday and Saturday at five sites in Orange County includes eight of the top 10 teams in The Times’ rankings. Only seventh-ranked Calabasas and ninth-ranked Villa Park will be missing.

Top-ranked Corona del Mar, the host school, is seeded No. 1, and second-ranked Peninsula is No. 2.

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THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

1. Corona del Mar (6-0, SS-Pacific Coast)

Without Anne Yelsey for two matches, balanced Sea Kings continued to roll.

2. Palos Verdes Peninsula (4-2, SS-Bay)

Panthers seeded No. 2 in National High School All-American tournament.

3. Palm Desert (6-0, SS-Desert Valley)

Playing in National High School All-American tournament will be good test.

4. Fullerton Troy (5-1, SS-Freeway)

Warriors won first league match over Buena Park commandingly.

5. Newport Harbor (5-1, SS-Sea View)

Sailors, whose only loss is to Peninsula, face more challenges this week.

6. Beverly Hills (2-0, SS-Bay)

Normans were idle last week after two more match cancellations.

7. Calabasas (6-1, SS-Frontier)

Erin Everly has stepped up lately for Coyotes.

8. North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake (1-0, SS-Mission)

Wolverines’ schedule has been beset with changes.

9. Fullerton Sunny Hills (6-1, SS-Freeway)

Got jump start in Freeway League with victory over La Habra.

10. Villa Park (6-3, SS-Century)

Lindsey Nelson is 25-0 in sets for Spartans, who will miss Arti Iyer.