Comets end season on the wrong end of a sweep

Steve Kirch

April 20, 2014

Palomar women’s tennis player Remy Litrell jumps to hit a forehand against Irvine Valley College on Feb. 11, 2014 at Palomar’s tennis courts. (Joe Davis/The Telescope)

Palomar women's tennis player jumps to hit a forehand against Irvine Valley College on Feb 11 at Palomar's tennis courts. Joe Davis/The Telescope — Palomar women’s tennis player Remy Litrell jumps to hit a forehand against Irvine Valley College on Feb. 11, 2014 at Palomar’s tennis courts. (Joe Davis/The Telescope)

Palomar’s women’s tennis team had a short end to a long season with a 9-0 loss to Grossmont on April 3.

The comets were swept in singles 6-0, but the most competitive singles match of the day was between Palomar’s number one ranked player Remy Littrell and Grossmont’s number one Jaella Conway.

Littrell won the first set 6-3, but Conway won the second set and tie-breaker 7-5 (10-8).

Littrell said it was a tough loss because she was down 5-2 in the second set but came back to make it 7-5 before losing in a tie-breaker.

“It sucks to come back and lose … but I put up a good fight. It was fun,” Littrell said.

This was Littrell’s second loss to Conway in singles play this season. She lost to Conway in straight sets on March 11 at Grossmont.

Palomar women's tennis player Teresa de Anda congratulates teammate Remy Litrell against Irvine Valley College on Feb 11 at Palomar's tennis courts. Joe Davis/The Telescope — Palomar women’s tennis player Teresa de Anda congratulates teammate Remy Litrell against Irvine Valley College on Feb 11 at Palomar’s tennis courts. Joe Davis/The Telescope

Conway praised Littrell’s sportsmanship and tenacity after the match.

“The match was close. It could have gone either way. . . She was probably the toughest match besides Mesa’s #1 player for me this season,” Conway said.

In doubles play, the Comets were swept 3-0 with the closest match coming between Littrell/Deandra vs. Conway/Durant.

The Grossmont duo won 9-7.

This is the second time this season Palomar has been swept by Grossmont in match play.

Palomar was swept 9-0 on March 11 at Grossmont.

“Grossmont has a bigger team, so they have an advantage over us . . . they also have more experienced players,” said freshman Miriam Ponce, who is ranked #5 on the team.

Grossmont has four sophomore players to Palomar’s one (Littrell).

Ponce was also quick to point out that the women’s tennis team is only playing with five players.

In a tennis match a team needs six players to compete in singles and doubles, so Palomar has to forfeit two match’s before they even

Palomar women's tennis player Teresa de Anda hits a forehand against Irvine Valley College on Feb 11 at Palomar's tennis courts. Joe Davis/The Telescope — Palomar women’s tennis player Teresa de Anda hits a forehand against Irvine Valley College on Feb 11 at Palomar’s tennis courts. Joe Davis/The Telescope

step on the court.

Two players quit the team earlier this season to focus on academics.

Head Coach Ronnie Mancao said that the team essentially goes into every match down 0-2.

Grossmont Head Coach, Megan Haber said she feels Mancao’s frustration because last year Palomar won the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Championship and this year he doesn’t have enough players to compete.

“It’s sad . . . I hope I’m never in his footsteps,” said Haber.

Palomar was 16-3, 10-0 in conference, last season before losing to Riverside in the quarterfinals.

This season the team is 2-12, 2-9 in conference, and will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

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