Falcons stave off Chargers, 10-8
LA CRESCENTA — The Crescenta Valley High girls’ tennis squad advanced to the second round of the Division II playoffs after turning out the lights on Edison, 10-8, Thursday afternoon.
The home victory against the Chargers sets up a meeting with Rio Hondo League-champion San Marino on Saturday, a team that is sure to give the Falcons all they can handle.
It’s something that Crescenta Valley Coach Sarah Wiggins is mentally prepared for.
“We know they have a great No. 1 and No. 2 [singles players],” said Wiggins, whose team improved to 14-4 after a second-place finish in the Pacific League. “We just need to cut down on unforced errors and just play.”
Possible might turn to probable if the Falcons’ doubles team of Sarah Ali and Talia Moradkhanian can continue its dominance over playoff opponents.
Against Edison (12-5), the squad’s No. 1 doubles pairing won in straight sets, 6-3, 6-0, 6-1.
“Our No. 1 doubles played great,” said Wiggins, who also admitted she is going to need a stronger showing from her doubles teams in the next round.
“We worked as a team today, and feel good about our chances moving on,” Moradkhanian said.
Ali and Karen Ataian won the league doubles crown in the regular season, however, Ataian moved to singles against Edison and won two of her three sets 3-6, 6-1, 6-1.
The doubles squad of Jackie Dilachyan and Tamara Talverdian teamed up to split a pair of doubles sets. Dilachyan and Talverdian won, 6-1, before suffering a 6-4 loss. Dilachyan and Alexa Gregorian earned a 7-6 (7-3) victory.
Emily Borkowski won two of her three sets 6-4, 6-0, while Erin LeVoir also collected a set win.
“They have a good No. 1, but we kept in the game and our points scored in singles took pressure off of the doubles players,” Wiggins said.
Late in the match, the Falcons led 9-7, but were comfortably ahead in total points. Hence, the Falcons would have still won in games.
While Crescenta Valley won narrowly, it’s still likely to have a tougher task in front of it as it faces San Marino at a site to be determined.
“We’ll just play smart and see what happens,” Wiggins said. “It’s possible.”