WOMEN'S TENNIS SOAR PAST EAGLES AFTER LOSS TO BAKERSFIELD

PHOTOS by Byron Devers

On Thursday, the Marauders began the day with the best intentions but came up short against visiting Bakersfield College. The Renegades swept the doubles matches. No.1 Nicole Padilla and Sydney Bush lost 2-8, No. 2 Naia Smithley and Julie Tejeda fell 1-8, and Arianett Avina and Emily Lopez lost 3-8. Mary Williams and Katie Secaida provided the lone bright spot in doubles, winning a non-scoring match.

In singles play, the Marauders were not able to improve the results, with No. 1 Padilla losing 4-6, 1-6, and No. 2 Bush split the first two sets 1-6, 6-4, before dropping the third set tiebreak 1-10. No. 3 Smithley scored the only point on the day, winning 6-3, 6-4. No. 4 Tejeda and No. 5 Williams lost by identical 0-6, 1-6 scores, while No. 6 Avina was defeated 2-6, 1-6. In non-scoring action, Lopez was victorious, but Secaida and Alondra Collier suffered defeats. Coach Webb noted, "We did not play our best tennis, and in a conference as strong as ours, when that happens, it's tough to win. We look forward to getting back on track tomorrow."

On Friday, the Marauder took advantage of the opportunity to move past Thursday's loss and defeated the Mt. San Jacinto College Eagles 9-0. AVC made a few lineup changes in doubles. No.1 Sydney Bush and Naia Smithley won 8-3, No. 2 Nicole Padilla and Jule Tejada won 8-1, and in their first opportunity at No. 3 Doubles, Mary Williams and Katie Secaida were victorious 8-4. Emily Lopez and Arianett Avina also won a non-scoring doubles match.

In singles play, No.1 Padilla dropped the first set 4-6, then won two at 6-3, 10-8 in a third set tiebreak. No. 2 Bush won 6-0, 6-1, and No. 3 Smithley won 6-0, 6-0. At No.4, Tejeda squeaked out a 6-4, 6-4 win, No. 5 Williams won 6-3, 7-5, and No. 6 Avina won 6-1, 6-0. Lopez and Secaida both won non-scoring singles matches. "We played much better today, and it shows in the results. To win from top to bottom, including the non-scoring matches, demonstrates our improved focus. What most impressed me today was we had some situations that could have gone the other way, but we fought our way out," said coach Webb. "I was impressed with Nicole's ability to rebound from losing the first set to take early control of the second and the tiebreak and get the win shows tremendous growth on her part," he added. After winning the first set, 6-4, Julie went down 0-3 before winning 6 of the next 7 games to close out the match. Mary also had a chance to close out her match up 5-4 in the second. Her opponent was able to tie it, but Mary rallied and won the next two games to secure the win." noted Webb.

The Marauders improve to 4-2 on the year and will next face LA Mission College on the road next Tuesday, February 14th, at 2:00 pm.