The Fullerton College women’s tennis team has enjoyed a highly successful last couple of weeks.
It all started against Sierra College when the team picked up their second consecutive state championship.
It was also only the second state championship in the history of the school. The Hornets became the first team to repeat as state champions since Orange Coast College did so in 2005-2006.
The team fell behind, going 1-2 in doubles but stormed back to win all four singles matches that finished.
“We were going in confident,” said Cailin Mitchell, sophmore. “We knew we had a solid chance to win and that our girls could compete with anybody.”
Then the team went on to the Individual championships for the state. They had players compete in both singles and doubles play.
Sarah Anderson, last year’s state runner up in singles and champion in doubles did not fare as well in singles, as she did last year but still managed to have a huge day.
Anderson and her new partner, Sarah Edwards, took home the state title in doubles by beating the top seeded team from the north, Stephanie Ramos and Jacquelin Ward of Sierra, 6-3, 3-6 and 10-7 in the 10-point tiebreaker.
“We were very confident going in,” Edwards said. “We make sure to respect every opponent but we knew it was ours to lose.”
Anderson became the first person to win back-to-back CCCAA doubles championships since Kyoko Maebara of Grossmont in 1996-1997.
Anderson took home the title last year with Victoria Vo and this year with Edwards.
“The Anderson and Vo pairing was something special last year,” said Scott Giles, head coach. “I have been saying almost all year that I think this pairing might be even better. They complement each other so well. Edwards is one of the best net players we have ever had.”
The Hornets will be losing Anderson, who many would say is their best player, Cailin Mitchell, the captain and Jasmine Catolicio, their number four, who came on strong down the stretch.
However, Edwards, Danielle Walker, Brenda Gollaz and Allison Enomoto all played big roles on this year’s team and still have a year of eligibility remaining,
Bringing in a big recruiting class should not be a problem. A team with two consecutive state titles and the chance to be paired up with a defending doubles champion should appeal to a lot of players that are on the fence about their decision.
“This is an exciting time for Fullerton College tennis,” Giles said. “With the girls we have and may be able to add through recruiting, next year could be just as big for us.”