Burbank captures ‘rivalry’
BURROUGHS HIGH — The girls’ tennis rivalry between Burbank High and Burroughs seems to have lost some of its luster.
While the cross-town clashes between the two area teams used to bring with them an array of bad blood, intense competition and a desire to beat their arch rival, this season’s first match between the Bulldogs and Indians was much more subdued.
Behind a dominant singles trio that won eight of nine sets, Burbank was able to notch a 12-6 Pacific League victory at Burroughs.
Many on both sides think because neither area team is among the elite squads in the league this season, therefore having little chance to win a championship, which has led to a less intense rivalry.
“We just looked at this as just another league match,” said Burbank No. 2 singles player Ashley Basco, who swept her three sets, 6-0, 6-2, 6-0. “Both of us aren’t really up there in league this season, so that makes it a little different.”
Burroughs Coach Roy Bernhardt agrees.
“The rivalry just isn’t what it used to be,” said Bernhardt, whose squad missed the playoffs a year ago. “The girls’ really don’t pay much attention to the rivalry, they just want to go out and win, no matter who it’s against.”
Having qualified for the postseason last season, Burbank (1-3, 1-1 in league) is playing with a crop of new players. With just two nonleague matches before the team began league play Tuesday, it didn’t give Coach Loi Phan much time to solidify his lineup.
“We are still changing things around and moving some players in and out,” he said. “We just didn’t have a whole lot of time to experiment with things before we went right into league.”
The changes seemed to work for the Bulldogs, as they took a 4-2 lead after the first of three rounds against Burroughs (2-3, 1-1) and had a 7-5 advantage going into the third round.
At No. 1 singles, Burbank’s Saniya Ibrahim won one set, 6-4, before giving way to Gabrielle Markari, who won her only set, 6-2. At No. 3, Meredy Gharabegi earned a sweep, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3.
In doubles, the No. 1 team of Miyon Kim and Dana Gibson won two, 7-6(8-6), 6-4, as did the No. 3 duo of Aja Locke and Elizabeth Sanchez, 6-0, 6-4.
Burroughs received a sweep from its No. 1 doubles team. Jackie Phuekhunthod and Alicia Seta went, 6-1, 7-6(7-1), before Angelica Cabanilla replaced Seta and the duo won, 6-2. The No. 2 team pair of Jessica Vu and Camille Yuson won, 6-4, as did the duo of Raichelle Ortiz and Diane Mutra, 7-5.
The Indians’ lone singles win was posted by Jessie Park, 6-1.