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IRVINE — Beckman’s girls tennis team competes in the Pacific Coast League, so it knows all about tough competition. But even by those lofty standards, the Patriots’ schedule this week falls on the extreme side.
There’s two matches in the strongest league in Orange County, a nonleague duel with the No. 1 ranked school in Division 2 and a showcase against reigning CIF-SS Division 1 champion Marlborough and county powerhouse Corona del Mar.
“Welcome to the Thunderdome,” Beckman coach Nick Friendt said with a smile Tuesday at Woodbirdge, site of the first Pacific Coast League stop of the week.
Beckman, ranked No. 1 in Orange County, rose to the challenge with an 11-7 victory against the No. 3 Warriors to improve to 13-2 overall, 5-0 in league.
Senior Victoria Aguirre swept at No. 1 singles, defeating UC Riverside-committed Maya Youssef and rising sophomore Chloe Vu 6-3 and 6-3.
And all three of the Patriots’ double teams won two of three matches against Woodbridge (7-3-1, 3-1), which received a sweep from its No. 1 tandem of Coca Ho and Ilaria Covino.
“Best and biggest win of the season,” said Friendt, whose team beat Division 2 Foothill 13-5 on Monday. “Total team win. Everyone got a win on the team, which for us is important because more often than not, we don’t have the best player in a given match.”
Beckman’s doubles lineup featured Sunjana Venkitakrishnan-Cambria Nguyen, Haley Kang-Lauren Le and Mandy Shi-Tatiana Aguirre, the younger sister of Victoria .
But it was play if Victoria Aguirre that stood out. She is best known for her doubles play in CIF individuals with senior Kaitlyn Nguyen but beat the Youssef, the league runner-up in the spring, and Vu, who placed third.
“It’s actually really hard being in this league,” she said. “Every day there is always a tough match. It’s important to always come prepared for a difficult opponent. … That’s why it’s fun.”
The challenges continue Wednesday as Beckman plays host to Marlborough and Corona del Mar in its Fall Showcase. The Patriots lost to Marlborough in the Division 1 finals in the spring and have never defeated Corona del Mar under Friendt, in his 16th season.
And on Thursday, Beckman plays defending champion University, whom Friendt considers the team to beat in the Pacific Coast.
Woodbridge, meanwhile, was missing a key doubles player due to illness Tuesday but still challenged Beckman. “It’s a war of attrition,” Warriors coach Ryan Sabado said.
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