Gauchos finish undefeated run
Earlier this season, the Saddleback College women’s tennis team broke the school’s 2009 record of 11 straight wins with a 12-0 start to this season.
The success of the season continued, and the Gauchos finished undefeated with a record of 14-0 overall and 8-0 in the Orange Empire Conference.
“The girls have done an outstanding job this season,” coach Jay Amos said. “Almost everyone has improved from the beginning of the season until now.”
Coming into this season, Saddleback was ranked No. 1 in Southern California. They were the only team in Southern California to go undefeated for the duration the season; therefore, they will bring that rank into the Regional quarterfinals on Tuesday. Being that they will be the No. 1 seed in Southern California, the Gauchos were awarded home court advantage throughout the playoffs. Their opponent has yet to be announced.
“We still have a long way to go in post season play,” Amos said. “As long as the girls keep their effort and attitude up, we’ll be fine. We can only do our best and that’s what we will focus on when we play.”
In their last outing of the season, the Gauchos defeated Riverside College 8-1. The strength of Saddleback’s lineup proved true when the No. 4-6 starters Avriel Tomaiko, Michelle Neville, and Carrisa Fleming combined to win 36 games and lose only three. Starters Erika Kagawa and Clara Kearney also won both of their matches.
The only loss on the day came from Karley Pletcher who battled through a nail-biting three sets.
Pletcher later rebounded from the loss with an 8-5 win in doubles with teammate Avriel Tomaiko. Erika Kagawa and Clara Kearney, along with Michelle Neville and Carrisa Fleming each won their doubles matches, combining a total of 16 game wins and only three loses.