Paladin

Issue date: 3/19/08 Section: Sports

LBCC women's tennis player Courtney Petero remained undefeated despite her team's loss to Cerritos, 5-2, on the LAC tennis courts Tuesday, March 18.

Petero and Kim Stern defeated Cerritos' Annik You and Gaby Diaz, 8-5.

In Petero's singles match, she won against You, 6-4, 6-4.

Despite Petero's wins the Vikes lost the other two doubles matches and dropped 4 of 6 singles contest.

Stern had to withdraw from her singles' match due to lingering injuries she suffered in a car accident Wednesday, March 12.

The Vikings won their previous match over Mt. San Antonio, 8-1, with the help of fiery play from Petero who burned them on the tennis courts at the LAC Thursday, March 13.

Petero's aggressive play carried over from the doubles match to the singles contest as she won in straight sets against Jessica Suagami, 6-0, 6-0.

Petero said, "It's awesome, it's a good feeling to be undefeated."

In their doubles match, Petero and Elida Gudiel played against Mt. SAC's Suagami and Jackie Sanchez.

In the first set, Petero hit a shot toward the baseline that ended a long rally and was called out by Mt. Sac player Suagami, which was the third out call in the set by Mt. SAC.

A brief argument sparked between Petero and Suagami about making clear out calls.

"I felt cheated after a long rally, to just have my shot called out, but we had to keep playing," Petero said.

Strong emotion in the following sets caused Petero's play to become particularly aggressive toward Suagami by attacking the net as the Vikes won the match, 8-5.

Gudiel said, "Courtney knows how to channel anger into aggressive playing style, I enjoy playing with Courtney. I knew she had my back."

Gudiel paired up with Petero for the first time due to losing Stern from the car accident.

Head coach Jose Alvarez said, "We lag in doubles competition because we don't have a ton of depth. In order to excel, you need six solid players, but we'll be fine."

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