Thrilling Doubles Finals Won by College of Desert Duo
In the morning doubles semifinals, Hana Moss and Emunah Daffon (College of the Desert) breezed through their match 6-0, 6-0 versus Logan Koitka and Madeleine Veltri (Orange Coast). Moss said after the doubles match on reaching both finals, "last night, I went back to my hotel room and told myself that tomorrow I am going to be a different person and completely different tennis player. That was my mindset coming into the doubles and single match today." In the other semifinal, LA Mission duo, Anna Kynclova and Lia Sarjveladze outlasted Mardrosians and Sargsyan (Glendale) 7-5, 7-5. In just the second year of the program LA Mission has the chance to take home a title in women's doubles.
In the doubles state finals, LA Mission started off fast breaking serve against College of the Desert and going up 3-1. However, Daffon and Moss returned the favor and then some by breaking LA Missions next three serves and winning five games in a row to take the first set 6-3. In the second set, LA Mission regrouped and broke COD's first serve and second serve and took a 4-0 lead. They did not look back as they eventually won the set 6-2.
In the 10-point tiebreaker, the momentum again shifted and COD jumped out to a 4-0 lead. After going back and forth on points, COD was up 8-5 with LA Mission serving for a chance to get back into the match. The experience of Daffon and the determination of Moss prevented LA Mission from starting a comeback as COD closed out the match on a great volley from Moss to win the state title 6-2, 2-6, (10-5).
In only the second season of competition for LA Mission, it was an extraordinary start to their program. Head Coach Joe Cascione stated after the match on the early success of the program, "hopefully this is a tremendous starting point for us, we were blessed with two fantastic student-athletes this year. Just a bunch of hard workers on our team, but what they did in this championship was great and hopefully this is something we can build on for the future."
Daffon has not been a stranger to big matches, as a freshman, her team took 2nd place in Southern California and participated in the singles and doubles state tournament last year. Daffon said after the match on finishing her career as a state champion, "honestly I wouldn't be here without the people surrounding me, Moss, my teammates, trainers, coaches who all sacrificed and what they did for us is the reason I am here. I am blessed to be here and so excited to win for my last season, so it was fantastic." Moss bouncing back to win doubles was extraordinary and she commented on that achievement "to be honest with you, I took a walk and said brand new player and brand new me and I am walking to the doubles match 100% a different person and a tennis player. Emunah was a big part of it, so I am really glad to play with her for her last season here and I love her so much and I am happy to be a part of COD as well."