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Southwest High's Gustavo Ramirez lunges to hit the ball against Central Union High during an Imperial Valley League match Monday at Southwest in El Centro. (FERNANDO ACOSTA JR. / April 16, 2012) |
The Southwest High boys’ tennis team defeated Central Union High, 10-8, in an Imperial Valley League match at Southwest High on Monday.
It was the first time the Southwest Eagles beat the Central Spartans in boys’ tennis in four years.
“It felt pretty good,” Eagles coach Genaro Pineiro said. “Coming in we knew it was going to be a close match.”
The last game between the cross-town rivals ended up 9-9, with the Spartans winning that tiebreaker.
“Fortunately our No. 2 beat their No. 1 in the last round,” Pineiro said. “That upset ensured us the outright win 10-8.”
Southwest’s No. 1 singles player Darian Flores swept his three opponents 6-1, 6-0, 6-0.
Central’s No. 1 David Armenta rebounded by defeating Southwest’s No. 2 Mo Hamdy 6-0 and No. 3 Will Wilkerson 6-4.
Hamdy went on to defeat No. 2 Spartan Ernie Gutierrez (6-1) and No. 3 Ramon Ortega (6-4). Gutierrez and Ortega each beat Wilkerson 6-2 and 6-1, respectively.
In doubles play, the No. 1 Eagles team of Zev Dutta/Adam El Newihi swept 6-3, 7-5, and 6-1.
The No. 2 Eagles team of Cory Fitzsimmons/Gustavo Ramirez beat Central’s No. 1 Jose Lopez/Ramsus Valenzuela 6-4 and No. 3 Esteban Galvan/Nathan Vasques 6-3.
Central’s No. 2 team of Dorhun Kim/Brandon Beltran beat Fitzsimmons/Ramirez 7-5 and Yash Chauhan/Jorge Carbajal 6-0. Galvan/Vasques beat No. 3 Deyran Paredes/Jesus Orihuelas 6-2.
The victory gives Southwest a 3-4 record in league play. The Eagles will host Vincent Memorial High at 3:15 p.m. Wednesday afternoon.
“I’m looking for our boys to get some experience for battling in the individual IVL competition two weeks from now,” Pineiro said.
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