COS One Win Away from State After Semifinal Victory
VISALIA, Calif. – College of the Sequoias women's tennis team is headed to the California Community College Athletic Association (3C2A) Northern California Team Final after a 5-3 victory over Sierra College on Tuesday, April 15 in Visalia. With the win, the Giants remain unbeaten in team competition this season at 17-0 and move one step closer to a state championship appearance.
COS set the tone early in doubles, claiming two of the three matchups to take the opening point. At No. 2, the pairing of Summer Herrera (Mt. Whitney HS) and Mia Orosco (Dinuba HS) continued their outstanding season with an 8-3 victory. At No. 3 doubles, Sadie Avila (Hanford HS) and Hannah Salazar (Tulare Western HS) backed them up with an 8-4 win, showcasing strong net play and communication.
"Our women's doubles teams set the tone for the match by taking two of the three doubles courts," said head coach Martin Herrera. "Summer and Mia's chemistry was showcased at No. 2, and Sadie and Hannah played tough at the net to get that second win."
In singles, COS maintained its momentum. Herrera delivered another dominant performance at the top of the lineup, winning 6-1, 6-0 with great baseline play. After Sierra answered back with wins at No. 2 and No. 3 singles, Avila gave COS a 4-3 edge with a 6-1, 6-2 victory at No. 4. With the match hanging in the balance, it all came down to the final two courts—No. 5 and No. 6 singles. Salazar and Orosco were both in command, and it was Orosco who delivered the clinching point with a 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 6 to secure the team victory.
"Our coaches expressed to our ladies how proud we are of them for playing hard for each other on every single point," Herrera said. "That kind of effort and care for each other is what's gotten us here."
Looking Ahead
The Giants will now travel north for the 3C2A NorCal Team Final, where they'll take on American River College this Saturday, April 19 at 1:00 p.m. A win would secure a trip to Ventura for the 3C2A State Team Championship next week.
Doubles
Emma Patterson / Erin Johnson (Sierra) def. Ruby Zambrano / Jaden Godoy (COS) – 8-2
Summer Herrera / Mia Orosco (COS) def. Autumn Holmes / Reese Brandy (Sierra) – 8-3
Sadie Avila / Hannah Salazar (COS) def. Kali Whittier / Elodie Wu (Sierra) – 8-4
Singles
Summer Herrera (COS) def. Emma Patterson (Sierra) – 6-1, 6-0
Erin Johnson (Sierra) def. Ruby Zambrano (COS) – 7-5, 6-0
Autumn Holmes (Sierra) def. Jaden Godoy (COS) – 6-3, 6-3
Sadie Avila (COS) def. Kali Whittier (Sierra) – 6-1, 6-2
Hannah Salazar (COS) vs. Reese Brandy (Sierra) – 3-6, 6-1, 1-0 (unfinished)
Mia Orosco (COS) def. Elodie Wu (Sierra) – 6-0, 6-0
