Flintridge Prep girls’ tennis falls to Marlborough
GLENDALE — It wasn’t long ago that Roya Gheissari found herself unable to compete in tennis to the degree she would like.
The No. 1 Flintridge Prep girls’ singles player suffered a broken right shin nearly 18 months ago while playing soccer, causing a painful setback and derailing her momentum and agility.
After rehabilitating her injury, Gheissari finds herself back on the court trying to lead the youthful Rebels.
Gheissari showed she’s back in mint condition after sweeping her three sets in a 14-4 nonleague home defeat against Marlborough on Monday at Scholl Canyon Tennis Center.
“It’s just about going out there and it coming down to the mental part of the game,” said Gheissari, who improved to 10-5. “You have to stay positive and try to win a point rather than a set.
“Last year, I missed the first few matches of the season. I couldn’t play an entire match and had to be substituted for. I feel like I have something to prove to myself. I feel like I’ve got my confidence back and I’m trying to be a role model for our younger players.”
Gheissari, a four-year varsity athlete, swept, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2. The Rebels (0-5) also received a 6-3 doubles victory from Irene Kim and Joyce Hwang.
Flintridge Prep first-year Coach Hratchia Sargsyan said the Rebels are showing signs of improvement while facing a difficult nonleague schedule that included San Marino, the defending CIF Southern Section Division II champion.
“They are getting better,” Sargsyan said. “You can see that in some of the points.
“Roya has been very consistent. She gets to a lot of shots and is able to return them. That frustrates the other player. She’s very tactical with different parts of her game.”
Marlborough, which won the Sunshine League championship last season, improved to 3-3. It won six sets without losing a game.
Marlborough received a sweep in doubles from Jade Taylor and La Cañada Flintridge resident Jae-Jae Segal (6-0, 6-1, 6-4).
Flintridge Prep will next take part in a nonleague road match against Viewpoint at 3:15 p.m. Wednesday at Braemar Country Club in Tarzana.
