The Rio Hondo League assigns its schools with the hosting of championships for its sports that have such an event and for tennis, the responsibility falls on Temple City High School. League officials might consider handing that responsibility over to San Marino if only to save fuel as this past Monday afternoon, nine of the final twelve competitors at the Rio Hondo League individual championships were Lady Titans.
At the end of the day, San Marino swept the three singles titles and took second and third in doubles, fortifying the team championship the Lady Titans claimed with a perfect 8-0 mark.
Anessa Lee won her third Rio Hondo League individual championship in three tries, edging teammate Selena Wu, a freshman. Fellow ninth-grader Margaret Piatos finished third to complete the sweep.
In double action, the team of Rakel Ang & Elaine Wu claimed second while Grace Carter & Katie Kirkendall finished in third place. Knowing there was a Royal blue lid atop the singles ladder, La Cañada paired its two best singles players to win the doubles championship.
“We did really well,” said head Coach Melwin Pereira. “I am very happy with the way the girls played. To have nine players representing San Marino on the final day is a very nice accomplishment.”
The Lady Titans rolled to their 13th consecutive Rio Hondo League regular season team championship, outscoring the opposition by 108-18 in combined set scores.
San Marino heads to Peninsula High School in Palos Verdes on Friday for the first round of the CIF Open Division Playoffs, where they will face the Panthers. The two teams met in September with the Lady Titans claiming an 11-7 win.
