Falcons break past Nitros
LA CRESCENTA — Looking to regroup after suffering its first loss of the season, the Crescenta Valley High girls’ tennis team turned to its No. 1 doubles team Tuesday afternoon.
The duo of Jackie Dilanchyan and Viktoriya Shumakova proved to be back in form, though Dilanchyan is still recovering from a sore right ankle injury.
Dilanchyan and Shumakova swept their three sets, 6-1, 6-3, 6-0, to help host Crescenta Valley record a 15-3 Pacific League win against rival Glendale.
The Falcons, who lost to rival Arcadia on Thursday, improved to 4-1, 2-1 in league. Glendale dropped to 2-3, 1-2.
“I think that loss to Arcadia gave us some more drive,” said Dilanchyan, who tweaked her ankle on a leaf while returning a shot Sept. 4 against Hoover. “I think we were excited about being able to come back, and we just had to keep fighting.
“I think we have a team that can be real good. It’s just about being able to push ourselves to the max.”
The Falcons, who are seeking their first league championship since 2008, received two doubles wins from the No. 2 group of Sarah Oh and Angela Seo, 6-4, 6-1. Isabel Martos-Repath and Melanie Voskanian of Crescenta Valley earned a 6-3 victory. They were replaced by Ashley An and Annie Park, who worked together to notch a 6-3 victory.
Crescenta Valley No. 1 singles player Alexa Gregorian swept, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2. Selin Ayvazian, Crescenta Valley’s No. 2 singles player, won two sets, 6-2, 6-1. Crescenta Valley No. 3 singles player Natalie Davidian won a pair of sets, 6-3, 6-2. Elizabeth Lim of Crescenta Valley registered a 6-1 win.
Crescenta Valley first-year Coach Sam Hyun said he was eager to see how the Falcons would respond against the Nitros after losing to Arcadia.
“We played our best against Arcadia, but they are very deep and strong,” Hyun said. “I think we’ve boosted our morale with this win.
“It’s about starting from here and seeing how it goes the rest of the way.”
The Nitros got a 7-5 singles win from No. 1 player Emily Levin. Glendale’s No. 2 doubles tandem of Imani Story and Danielle Fabian posted a 6-4 victory. Mary Pailevanian and Lilia Blkhoyan, Glendale No. 3 doubles team, netted a 6-4 win.
Glendale Coach Bob Davidson said the Nitros have struggled during portions of the season.
“We are very inexperienced,” Davidson said. “This is probably the least experienced team I’ve had in all my years of coaching.
“When we play teams at our level, we tend to compete well. When we play teams that have more ability and experience, our inexperience shows fast. We are improving.”
The teams will next meet at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 4 at Glendale.
