Edgar Melik-Stepanyan
Thirty minutes into Thursday's CIF Southern Section Division II
first-round match, the La Canada High girls' tennis players could
relax and laugh.
An hour later, the Spartans' worries vanished, allowing them to
revel in a win while munching on cookies.
La Canada took eight of the first nine sets against Temecula
Valley, and cruised to a 14-4 victory at the La Canada Country Club.
The Spartans (14-4) will next play Fountain Valley at a site to be
determined Saturday in the second round.
"We've been very comfortable," said La Canada No. 2 singles
player, Erica Lee, who swept, 6-2, 6-0, 6-1.
All the Spartans had to worry about in the third round of sets was
avoiding injury. While La Canada was finishing off its opponent,
their teammates were finishing the snacks.
"We weren't really nervous because we knew we could do it," said
Spartan No. 1 singles player, Kelley Fox, who also swept, 6-1, 6-2,
6-1.
La Canada's Lacey Miyazaki, a freshman, also won a set, as the
Spartans took seven sets each in singles and doubles.
The Spartans' No. 1 doubles team of Valerie Chen and Lindsay Van
Amringe and their No. 3 tandem of Diana Kim and Sara Kim each won
three sets.
"Overall, the team played really well," Spartan Coach Joe Thompson
said. "They all played up to their potential. They all did a great
job."
