Nitros keep hold on 2nd

GLENDALE — With the Pacific League boys’ tennis season winding down and first-place Arcadia still undefeated, much of the rest of the league is jockeying for playoff position with second place as the biggest goal.

In yet another nailbiter, Glendale High staved off visiting Crescenta Valley, 10-8, to clinch at least a second-place tie.

“It was huge,” said Davidson of the win for the Nitros (13-3, 8-3 in league). “It puts us in a position where we can do no worse than second.”

Spurred by a 6-1, 6-0, 6-0 sweep from Mike Astorian and Nick Daka, the Nitros won their fourth 10-8 match in league, while the Falcons (9-7, 5-6) found themselves on the wrong end of the tally once again.

“We’re losing all our matches 10-8,” said Falcons Coach Sarah Wiggins, whose team lost its previous match against the Nitros by the same score. “It was a good match. I think, overall, Glendale was a little more determined than we were.”

Perhaps the most pivotal set came when Glendale’s Suren Aydinyan defeated Marcus Barbosa, 7-6 (8-6), to end the second round of sets. It tied the score at 6, rather than giving Crescenta Valley a 7-5 lead.

“We had our chances,” Wiggins said.

Glendale took five sets in both singles and doubles.

Jeff Asano and Elliott Kim teamed up for wins of 6-3 and 6-2, while Aydinyan nabbed two singles wins.

Ashot Papikian and Hovsep Orusyan also notched singles wins and Bushra Abdelmalak and Dongkoon Yoo won a doubles set, as Glendale has clutched up as of late with Daka and Astorian leading the way and everyone contributing.

“This last month, they’ve really picked it up a notch, they’re trying to carry the team on their backs,” said Davidson of his No. 1 doubles squad. “Not only are we winning the close matches, but we’re also getting contributions from everybody.”

Dro Mahmoudi won two sets in singles for Crescenta Valley, 6-4, 6-3, while fellow Falcons singles player Barbosa also won two sets by the same scores. In doubles, Erik Khanlarian and Frank Son teamed up for two set wins, 6-3, 7-5.

On Thursday, Glendale will face Hoover on the road with a win sealing second place all to itself.