Jeff Tully
The Burbank High boys' tennis team is making a habit of destroying
opponents in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division II
playoffs.
For the second straight year Tuesday, the Bulldogs came roaring
out of the postseason gate to record an impressive win.
La Verne Bonita was the latest victim of Burbank's wrath, as the
Bulldogs rolled to a convincing 17-1 victory at the Burbank Tennis
Center.
Last season, Burbank (14-5) defeated Santa Maria Righetti, 13-5,
in an opening-round home match.
Burbank Coach Paul McNiff said he knew his team was in for an easy
time against Bonita (10-8) when he saw the Bearcat players warming up
before the match.
"It took me about five minutes to figure out that we weren't going
to have too many problems against this team," he said.
Competing in the Foothill League, McNiff -- whose team finished
second -- contends the league isn't very strong, and there aren't any
dominating teams.
But it could be worse. At least the Bulldogs don't have to play in
the Miramonte League, in which Bonita finished second.
The win sets Burbank up for a second-round match at 2 p.m.
Thursday with Anaheim Canyon, which defeated visiting Palm Springs,
11-7, Tuesday in a first-round contest. A coin flip will determine
the home team.
Canyon (16-3) is the Century League champion.
Playing a tough opponent in the second round after not getting
much competition in their opener is a concern for Burbank and McNiff.
"We don't want to get too overconfident after this win," Bulldog
doubles player Sarkis Khachatryan said.
"Our coach told us that we have to play our game and not play down
to the other team."
Against Bonita, the Bulldogs enjoyed a singles sweep, as No. 2
Varuzhan Sarkisyan went, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2, and No. 3 Garn Sangsuriyakul
went, 6-2, 6-0, 6-0. No. 1 Haig Kassabian breezed, 6-0, 6-0, before
giving way to substitute Mark Lewin, who also had an easy time, 6-2.
In doubles, the No. 1 duo of Ted Kang and Jonathan Dong went, 6-1,
6-0, 6-3, the No. 3 team of Kevin Lee and Khachatryan went, 6-2, 6-0,
6-1, and Alex Dawoodian and David Chung went, 6-2, 6-0, 6-7 (2-7).
