Without Yang, Panthers struggle against Titans
Cesar Chavez 6, Porterville 3
Porterville boys tennis entered Wednesday’s match against the No. 3 team in EYL without the Panthers’ No. 1 player — Chai Yang (flu).
The absence forced the rest of the depth chart to move up a spot and the Titans took advantage, winning five of the singles to secure the victory.
Representing Yang in the No. 1 spot was Patrick Lewis, who gave the league’s No. 2 overall player a run for his money but eventually fell, 7-6, 4-6, 6-10.
Johnny Nieto moved up into Lewis’ spot and lost, 4-6, 4-6. Robert Madrigal played out of No. 3 and dropped his match, 1-6, 2-6 while No. 4 Mitch Walters lost, 1-6, 5-7.
Amninder Dahliwal picked up the lone win at No. 5, beating his counterpart, 7-5, 6-2. But Michael Ruiz, pulled up out of the ranks to fill in at No. 6, fell 5-7, 7-5, 7-10, in a tought fight.
The Panthers (10-3, 7-3 EYL) rebounded somewhat in the doubles portion with Nieto teaming up with Vince Catalina to win 8-5 and Dahliwal joining Josh Martinez to win 8-2. Lewis and Lanning dropped the No. 1 doubles slot, 4-8.
Porterville faces Granite Hills, Monday, at home.
