Glendale Community College women’s tennis rolls to conference victory
GLENDALE — One match away from reaching the midway point of Western State Conference action, the Glendale Community College women’s tennis team seems to have found unity.
With six freshmen on board learning on the fly and adjusting to the pace of the collegiate level, it took some time in the beginning of the season for the Vaqueros to find the right lineup combination. They appear to have things in order.
“We feel good about where we are right now,” said Glendale first-year Coach Deo Sy, whose team posted a 9-0 conference home victory against Antelope Valley on Thursday. “They’ve come a long way and things are clicking.
“It’s about them being all in control and putting in the time for training and looking to get better.”
Glendale improved to 7-1, 3-1 in conference, and will next face host Santa Barbara at 2 p.m. Tuesday in a conference matchup.
On Thursday, Glendale lost two games — one each in singles and doubles — to top Antelope Valley (1-4, 0-3) in the first of two head-to-head meetings. The Vaqueros and Marauders will meet again March 20 at Antelope Valley.
Glendale received singles victories from Viktoriya Shumakova (6-0, 6-0), Meghedi Mooradian (6-0, 6-0), Alexandra Amor (6-0, 6-1), Amy Shigenaga (6-0, 6-0) and Ashley Sumudio (6-0, 6-0). In doubles, the Vaqueros got wins from Shumakova and Amor (8-1) and Ayaka Takeuchi and Wendy Vasuthasawat (8-1). The Vaqueros also picked up two forfeit wins because the Marauders were short players.
Shumakova, a former All-Area doubles honoree from Crescenta Valley High, said the Vaqueros have gelled nicely.
“It was challenging at first with practices in the beginning of the season, but it makes it easier for the games,” Shumakova said. “I think we’ve done well considering we only have a few returners.
“It will still be a challenge seeing the other teams [in conference] the second time around. We’ve put ourselves in good position to succeed.”
