The women’s tennis team journey this season was an improvement compared to last season.
Cerritos wasn’t able to secure the South Coast Conference this season, as the Falcons placed second in the conference.
At conference rivals Mt. San Antonio Community College secured the South Coast Conference title this season.
The women’s tennis program got what they expected this season according to head coach Alvin Kim, “The [Falcons] did exactly what we expected them to do.”
He added, “We were a top five team and we toke a bunch of players all around the world and developed a successful team”
The women’s tennis team finished the season with a 19-7 record this season. Freshmen players weren’t afraid of their opponents this season, as the women’s tennis team had six freshmen and three sophomores who returned this season.
One of the freshmen players this season Taylor Heath, who earned first-team recognition from the South Coast Conference in both singles and doubles with partner Mariia Yatsenko.
Heath, an engineering major, said, “I felt I did pretty well starting at no.1 in singles and doubles for the team. It was tough but I tried my best.”
She finished the season with a record of 17-7 in singles matches and with a 20-6 record in doubles matches.
Mariia Yatesnko being one of two foreign players on the team from Ukraine earned recognition from the South Coast Conference being all first team in doubles with Heath.
Yatsenko, a business major, “It was my first year in Cerritos College. Before that, I had no idea that it’s a team sport. First of all it is a huge responsibility, you always try to bring as many points for the team. I tried to do my best and work as much as possible. I feel I succeeded in all this season.”
Yatsenko finished the season with 22-3 record in singles and with a 22-6 record in doubles.
Cerritos were ranked no.4 in the Southern California Team Playoffs this season but were knockout by no.2 Glendale Community College in the semi-finals.
Cerritos have not won a South Coast Conference since 2009 and the women’s tennis will be looking for the South Coast Conference title next season.
