De Anza College, the Achilles' heel for Pasadena City College this season, showed again its strength v. the Lancers, defeating them, 11-0, in the 3C2A Women's Badminton State Team Championship match played Thursday night at San Diego City College.
The Lancers finished the team season at 10-3, all three losses coming at the hands of now 2-time defending state champ De Aza, which went undefeated this year at 14-0.
De Anza also won by an 11-0 score in last year's title match in capturing the state crown v. Irvine Valley.
"The team knew we had a challenge today, but fought hard, and didn't give up" said PCC head coach Jen Ho. "DeAnza was just too good, but we had our chances. Unfortunately for us, we just couldn't put runs together."
On the squad's South Coast Conference title season, she said, "I'm very proud of the team that we made it to the finals. The runner-up trophy gave the girls more determination to try harder and bring the championship home next season."
PCC freshman Rhea Zou played well in her #1 singles match v. De Anza's #2 Heather Lee despite losing in straight sets, both by 3-point margins. At #2, sophomore Cindy Zhao also was tough v. the Mountain Lions'#1 in Madison Moe.
As is the rule in state finals, the match was stopped after the winning team reached 11 team points.
The Lancers have reached five championship finals under Coach Ho, winning the state championship twice in a row in 2017 and 2018. PCC was runner-up in 2016, 2019 and this year. PCC also was a state team runner-up in 2010.
SINGLES
Heather Lee (DA) d. Rhea Zou (PCC) 21-18, 21-18
Madison Moe (DA) d. Cindy Zhao (PCC) 21-17, 21-17
Malaya Mangrongbang (DAC) d. Nikki Ching (PCC) 21-8, 21-10
Kelly Tran (DA) d. Basil Kintanar (PCC) 21-12, 21-1
Renee Ou (DA) d. Sophie Chao (PCC) 21-12, 21-11
Anna Lac (DA) d. My Linh Ly (PCC) 21-8, 21-15
DOUBLES
Ou-Lac (DA) d. Zou-Zhao (PCC) 21-15, 21-8
Moe-Malaya Paras-Mangrobang (DA) d. Ching-Chao (PCC) 21-5, 21-5
Jenny Nguyen-Phuong Truong (DA) d. Leslie Lien-Bingbing Ouyang (PCC) 21-4, 21-4