Giants' women's tennis duo headed to state's individual championships
By Nick Giannandrea
COS ATHLETICS
Since the California Community College Athletic Association women's tennis championships began in 1978, College of the Sequoias has not produced an individual champion.
Elizabeth Gormley and Isabella Estrada have an opportunity to change that.
Gormley (Redwood High) qualified in singles and with Estrada (Mt. Whitney) in doubles for the CCCAA's Individual State Championship tournament set for May 6-7 at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut.
"The girls have worked really hard to get where they are," Sequoias coach Chad Borkey said. "It's been a really good year."
In singles, Gormley was seeded third in the North and is set to face South No. 6 Joy Zheng of Grossmont in the round of 16 on May 6. The winner advances to face the winner between North No. 7 Davina Escalante of American River and South No. 2 Anna Kynclova of Los Angeles Mission later May 6. The semifinals and finals are May 7.
In doubles, Gormley and Estrada were selected the North's No. 4 seed and open against South No. 5 Agustina Berrondo and Emunah Daffon of Desert on May 6. The winner advances to face the winner between North No. 8 Davina Escalante and Jaycie Savage of American River and South No. 1 Kai Nikchevich and Nicole West of Santa Monica later May 6. The semifinals and finals are May 7.
Gormley and Estrada, both freshmen, were among three Giants who reached the Northern California Regionals, which were held April 29-30 at West Valley College in Saratoga.
The top eight in singles and doubles advanced to the state championships.
Gormley defeated Chabot's Sandy Morizawa 6-1, 6-1 in the round of 32, and punched her ticket to the final 16 at state with a 6-1, 6-2 triumph over Canada's Josie Thompson.
"I knew she had a great opportunity to get to the state tournament because of how hard she's worked and all the time she's put in," Borkey said. "She's just got to keep doing what she does. This is the best of the best. Every match is going to be tough. I'm proud of her either way. She's had a great year."
In doubles, Gormley and Estrada opened the NorCal Regionals with a 6-1, 6-3 win over American River's Jori Jacobs and Emily Cowan.
Gormley and Estrada were pushed a little harder in the match to advance to state, pulling out a 6-1, 7-6 (7-4) victory over Sierra's Cassandra Rhoades and Gabriella Espinoza.
"I don't see why they don't have a chance of moving deep into the tournament," Borkey said. "They play well together, have a great sense of camaraderie and play each point for each other."
Gormley and Estrada didn't join forces this season until the Big 8 Conference tournament March 31-April 2 at Fresno City. Estrada stepped into the Giants' No. 1 doubles team after an injury to Gormley's initial partner, Maddy Adams (Redwood).
But playing against each other often in practice helped them mesh as a team, according to Borkey.
"They know each other's game, what each does well, and they take advantage of that," Borkey said. "They have opposite strengths. Elizabeth does a great job finding allies and angles. Isabella does a great job at the net. And both are very smart at finding the open spots."
Sequoias also had Estrada and Lilliana Silveira (Tulare Western) in the singles field at the NorCal Regionals.
Estrada dropped her opener 6-3, 6-1 against Mission's Fran Compagno, while Silveira was defeated 6-1, 7-5 by American River's Davina Escalante.
