Nitros edge past Rebels
GLENDALE — During the first two weeks of the season, the members of the Glendale High boys’ tennis team have managed to surprise themselves.
While the Nitros expected to be strong throughout in doubles, it’s been the efforts turned in by their singles players that have amazed veteran Coach Bob Davidson.
Glendale won six singles sets to secure an 11-7 nonleague road victory against Flintridge Prep on Thursday afternoon at Scholl Canyon Tennis Center.
The Nitros (4-2) received a pair of singles wins from John Azizian, Nick Shamma and Mike Unanian to turn back the Rebels (2-3)
“I’m pleased with the win and I feel like we have a good balance and that can be a big key for us,” Davidson said. “Mike, John and Nick, who was ill, all stepped up for us when we needed them.
“I think we are playing as well as we can. The thing for us is to keep improving and needing that balance along the way.”
Azizian picked up 7-5, 6-0 wins, while Shamma netted 6-1, 6-0 victories. Unanian came through with 6-2, 6-1 wins.
Davidson said the turning point came in Azizian’s 7-5 victory against Flintridge Prep’s Kobe Hayashi in the second round. Azizian held a 5-2 lead before Hayashi rallied to tie it at 5. However, Azizian won the next two games to give Glendale a 7-5 lead entering the final round.
“That was definitely huge,” Davidson said. “That gave us a little cushion and gave us some momentum the rest of the way.”
The Nitros saw their No. 1 doubles team of Jeff Asano and Elliot Kim sweep their three sets, 6-3, 6-2, 6-0. Glendale also got one win piece from Alex Levin and Edgar Hakobyan (6-0) and Sam Sarian and Rene Glandian (6-0).
Flintridge Prep got a sweep in singles from Alex Wood, 6-2, 6-0, 6-3.
Flintridge Prep Coach Ron Catano said the Rebels weren’t aggressive enough to counter the Nitros.
“We weren’t able to match that,” Catano said. “I’m OK with how we played and Glendale played real well.
“Their Nos. 2 and 3 singles players pretty much took care of us and that hurt us. It’s a good match and it allows us to see how much better we have to play individually.”
Flintridge Prep received a pair of doubles wins from Kent Byun and Eric Kazangian (6-3, 6-1) and David Chou and Albert Lee (6-3, 6-4).
