The Burbank High tennis team was once known for its strength in doubles. That was under legendary coach Clyde Richards, who led the Bulldogs to a CIF championship, 14 straight league titles and 116 consecutive league victories from 1990 to 2002.
Fast forward to 2016 and the Bulldogs are now using their strength in singles to pull out victories.
The Bulldogs swept all nine singles sets Thursday in a 11-7 Pacific League victory over host Hoover High.
“The singles did their job as usual. That is going to be our strength,” Burbank co-coach Kenneth Banares, a 2011 graduate, said. “The doubles need a little work. This is the beginning of the season and you don’t know who you are going to be pairing up in doubles. We’re trying to find out who we can use, who we can put together.”
In singles, No. 1 player Kevin Orellana swept his three sets by scores of 6-0. No. 3 singles player James Lee also swept all three sets by 6-0 scores.
No. 2 singles player Luciano Dapuetto won his sets 6-2, 6-1, 6-0.
In doubles, Burbank’s No. 1 team of Arsh Zahed and Ryan Hyun went 3-6, 2-6, 1-6.
The No. 2 team of Harout Abgaryan and Nathan Soria went 3-6, 4-6, 7-5.
The No. 3 team of Ethan Lee and Emory Kim went 1-6, 4-6, 6-2.
