While Lemoore’s top two aces lost their matches, the remainder of the team managed to hold on for the win. Kaitlin Raulino, the Tigers ace, lost to Sunnyside’s Wendy Her 1-6, 1-6., and No. 2 Tiger Serena Mendoza lost to Mai Pa Kue Yang 1-6, 0-6.
“There were some really close matches,” said Tiger Coach Carla Bow, “and the girls showed a lot of mental strength to win their matches. This was a great team victory. People really stepped up where they needed to.”
Cynthia Moreno, Lemoore’s No. 3 Tiger managed to turn the tide when she beat Sunnyside’s Linda Thai 6-3, 6-3, and No. 4 Tiger Helena Cavero went 2-6, 6-4 and won the super tie break 10-6.
Madison Kuntz kept the momentum going with her 6-0, 6-4 win, and come back of the day went to Annelisa Andrada in singles play who stayed on the court longer than any player, was down 0-3 in each set, but still managed to emerge victorious with a 7-6 (7-4), 7-6(7-4) win.
Her win put Lemoore up 4-2 going into doubles needing only one win to seal the victory. They got that from the No. 3 doubles team of Valori Meraz and Lizeth Garcia who easily beat Sunnyside 6-2,6-1.
The No. 1 doubles of Raulino, Moreno struggled and lost 3-6,4-6.
The final match of the night was in No. 2 doubles action featuring Mendoza and Kuntz who fell in the first set 2-6 but turned the match around and won the second 6-0. The duo’s match was decided by a super tie breaker that they won 10-3 to hand Lemoore the 6-3 victory.
The Tigers will head into individual play Friday and Saturday before returning to Lemoore for the semis next Wednesday.