Westridge still in first place, still undefeated after beating Prep
NORTHEAST GLENDALE — After facing off earlier in the Prep League season and playing to a finish determined by just two sets, Westridge School and Flintridge Prep once again locked up in a pivotal league battle and simply determined that not a whole lot has changed.
For the second time this season, the Flintridge Prep girls’ tennis team was denied the taste of victory Thursday afternoon at the hands of its Prep League rival, undefeated Westridge.
The host Rebels squandered a lead in the final doubles set and it cost them a 10-8 home loss at the Scholl Canyon Tennis Center.
The No. 3 doubles team of Kira Lee and Raya Gleissani let a 4-3 lead evaporate before the Tigers’ No. 1 doubles tandem of Erin Wong and Erin McDonald rallied back for a 6-4 win.
With the result, Prep dropped to 9-4 overall and 4-2 in league, while Westridge stayed perfect at 10-0 and 5-0 and remained on the inside track to win the league championship.
“They had me scared there [in the final set],” Westridge Coach Jerry Rivera said. “They did a good job today, but fortunately our fortune turned for us and we were able to win today.”
Westridge’s tandem of Wong and McDonald swept their sets, 6-0, 6-4, 6-4.
The Rebels seemingly had an advantage absent from their 10-8 loss on Sept. 26 at Westridge’s home court.
They had No. 1 singles Jenise Vargas back from a wrist injury. But she lost to Lena Tavatian and Maral Tavatian by scores of 6-1 and 6-1. She did, however, beat Westridge’s No. 3 singles Cameron Marsh, 6-0. The Tigers’ Lena Tavatian and Maral Tavatian each won two of their three singles sets, while Marsh won her set against Prep’s No. 3 singles Hayley Carter, 6-1.
“I don’t know if she didn’t come to play or if she was too overconfident that she could take the Tavatian sisters, but they had her number today,” Prep Coach Ron Catano said.
Rebels’ No. 2 singles Andrea Kevakian won her sets, 6-2, 6-2, 6-0.
Westridge won five sets in the singles and doubles bracket.
It was the first of five straight Prep League home matches to end the season for the Rebels, who face Pasadena Poly on Tuesday. Westridge hosts Mayfield on Tuesday and has five remaining league matches thereafter.