Glendale High girls’ tennis team knocks off crosstown rival

GLENDALE — There hasn’t been much activity during the early stages of the season for the Glendale High and Hoover girls’ tennis teams entering their Pacific League opener against each other Tuesday.

Prior to Tuesday, Hoover had played just one match. Glendale, on the other hand, had yet to partake in a contest.

After shaking off the rust, Glendale proceeded to win seven doubles sets to register a 13-5 home victory.

“It’s kind of scary not to have played at least one nonleague match before starting off league,” said Glendale Coach Bob Davidson, whose team also won six singles sets in the first of two head-to-head matchups with Hoover (1-1). “We were supposed to play [Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy] Monday, but that got scrapped.

“I thought we came out well and responded when we needed to. We won a couple of tie-breakers that helped swing things in our favor. I thought our doubles played very well.”

Glendale, which advanced to the playoffs last season after taking fourth in league, received a sweep in doubles from Imani Story and Dani Fabian. The duo worked together to win, 6-2, 7-6(7-5), 6-2.

Also in doubles for the Nitros, they received 6-2, 6-1 wins from Mary Pailevanian and Rouzana Hakobyan and 6-4, 6-3 victories from Amanda Lieu and Ruth Kachatorian.

The Nitros were also impressive in singles, receiving a pair of wins from Veronika Galstyan (6-1, 6-1), Julie Darbinyan (6-1, 6-2) and Kellie Gong (6-1, 7-6(7-5).

Galstyan, a junior, said the Nitros were eager to begin their season.

“I thought we were confident going into the match,” said Galstyan, whose 6-1 win against Rozi Tatevosyan clinched the match. “We are not a very experienced team, but we did what we needed to do to win.

“I think it’s good to open against your rival. It’s the team you want to come out and beat.”

Hoover, which missed the playoffs last season, had a bright spot in No. 1 singles player Sara Kim. Kim, a junior, swept her three sets (6-4, 6-2, 6-3).

“I was able to go out there and move my feet well, from serving to hitting,” Kim said. “Everything seemed to work out mentally.

“We are just hoping to go out there and win more matches than we did last year.”

The Nitros and Tornadoes will compete in league matches at 3:30 p.m. Thursday. Glendale will take on visiting Crescenta Valley. Hoover will face Burroughs on the road.

Hoover and Glendale will meet again at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 3 at Hoover.