Doubles sweep carries Nitros

BURBANK — With two outstanding singles players starring for the Burbank High boys’ tennis team, Glendale Coach Bob Davidson bolstered his doubles corps in preparation for Tuesday’s match.

Although Bulldogs Coach Loi Phan fully expected the lineup change, he figured if his doubles teams could weather the storm and win just two of nine sets, his squad would have a good chance of beating the Nitros in the Pacific League contest.

The Burbank singles did their job — and then some — but doubles fell flat, as Glendale was able to sweep all nine doubles contests to earn a 10-8 win at Burbank.

“We knew that Burbank had two very good doubles players, so our intent was to try and win as many in doubles as we could,” Davidson said. “We put Jeff [Asano], who has played singles for us, in doubles, and it worked out pretty well.”

Glendale (10-6, 7-4 in league) is in a position to finish third in league after failing to make the postseason last season.

Burbank (6-8, 4-7), on the other hand, will not make the playoffs after winning the league title in 2007 and advancing to the CIF Southern Section Division II quarterfinals.

The Nitros dominated in doubles, surrendering an average of just two games in nine sets. Leading the way was the No. 1 duo of Nick Daka and Mike Astorian, which went, 6-1, 6-1, 6-0. At No. 2, Asano and Elliot Kim won, 6-3, 7-5, 6-1, and Gerald Young and Bushra Abdelmacak won, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3.

Burbank sophomore singles player Arthur Karagezian continued to have a stellar season, as he won his sets, 6-0, 6-2, 6-0. Karagezian is undefeated and has a sparkling 42-0 record.

The Bulldogs also received a sweep from Pete Sangsuriyakul, 6-0, 6-1, 6-2, and No. 3 Kahree Bellow his job by winning two, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.

“It was our goal this week to win our two final league matches and finish third in league,” said Davidson, whose team finishes the regular season against rival Hoover today at home. “We are happy to be in the playoffs.”