Blazers dominate Panthers

SEPT. 30, BLAZER COURTS—

The Blair girls' tennis team continued its hot start today, beating the Paint Branch Panthers 6-1 and improving their record to 5-2. The Blazers breezed by their Division II opponents en route to their fourth victory in the last five matches.

The Blazer's most consistent squad all season has been the first doubles team of juniors Jahnavi Bhaskar and Dominique Franson, and today was no exception. Bhaskar and Franson used a solid ground game to make quick work of their opponents in a 6-1, 6-0 rout.

Four more Blazer victories soon followed. Junior Kiran Belani and senior Tiffany Chang won their third doubles match with ease 6-2, 6-2 and freshmen substitute Priyanka Gokhale and junior Margot Pass prevailed without difficulty 6-3, 6-2. Second singles player, junior Pearl Horng, sealed a team victory with a 6-2, 6-0 triumph and senior captain Seema Kacker added to the tally with a dominant 6-2, 6-2 win playing third singles.

In the latter stage of the afternoon, Blair had a split decision in a couple of hard-fought singles matches. Fourth singles player Janice No lost 7-6(7-4), 4-6, 6-3; while junior Stephanie Paul bounced back from the brink of elimination in the second set to win a dramatic 3-6, 7-6(7-4), 6-4 victory in first singles.

Coach David Ngbea said he was impressed with the team's consistency. "If we don't beat ourselves we're fine. We're in every single match," said Ngbea

Blair's next match is Monday, Oct. 4 at Quince Orchard. The next home match will be held Wednesday, Oct. 6 at 3:30 against Churchill.