Cougars Continue Streak, Women's Tennis Still Tops in WSC

By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director

College of the Canyons continued its run against Western State Conference (WSC) competition, winning its fifth straight match vs. visiting Glendale College 8-1 to stay perfect in conference play.

Canyons swept its three doubles matches for the fourth time this season but was aided by a Glendale forfeit in the No. 3 spot. 

Ashley Villarta and Lexi Paunovic combined for an 8-1 win, while the team of Lauren Hannah and Jennifer Russell were 8-5 winners. Hannah Heiber and Lauren Neal were also set to compete before being awarded the forfeited point.

In singles competition COC again received a free point in the No. 6 spot with Glendale unable to field an opponent for entered starter Lauren Hannah.

Glendale (4-5, 3-3) earned a victory in No. 1 singles play with Minnie Mardrosians able to get past Villarta 4-6, 3-6.

Paunovic cruised to a 6-1, 6-0 victory from the No. 2 spot and now claims a 5-1 record for the season. 

Russell improved her singles win streak to six with a 6-3, 6-2 win. Russell, who has mostly played from the No. 3 position, has been involved in just three losses this season with two coming in doubles play.

Neal earned a hard fought 7-5, 6-3 win from the No. 4 spot and Heiber was a 6-0, 6-0 victor in the No. 5 spot.

Canyons (6-2, 5-0) has not lost since suffering a 5-4 loss to visiting College of the Sequoias on Feb. 2. 

The Cougars will conclude the first round of conference play with a road trip to Antelope Valley College on Thursday, Feb. 24. 

Full results from Thursday's match vs. Glendale are included below:

Doubles

1. Villarta/Paunovic (COC) defeats Mardrosians/Gueco (GCC) — 8-1

2. Hannah/Russell (COC) defeats Joshi/Charles (GCC) — 8-5

3. Heiber/Neil (COC) wins by forfeit.

Singles

1.   Ashley Villarta (COC) loses to Minnie Mardrosians (GCC) — 4-6, 3-6

2.  Lexi Paunovic (COC) defeats Siya Joshi (GCC) — 6-1, 6-0

3. Jennifer Russell (COC) defeats Kianna Gueco (GCC) — 6-3, 6-2

4. Lauren Neal COC) defeats Ailyne Charles (GCC) — 7-5, 6-3

5. Hannah Heiber COC) defeats Naneh Mkrtchiam (GCC) — 6-0, 6-0

6. Lauren Hannah (COC) wins by forfeit (GCC) — 6-0, 6-0

Stay up to date on all this season's action by following the College of the Canyons Athletic department on social media at @COCathletics on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. 

-Photo by Mari Kneisel/COC Sports Information