West and Moss Vying for Singles Title

After two days of competition at multiple venues in Ventura and Oxnard the Women's Tennis singles field reduced from 80 to the final eight at the prestigious Ojai Athletic Club. Two of the returners from 2022 State Tournament, finalist Nicole West (Santa Monica) and semifinalist Anna Kynclova (LA Mission) breezed through their quarterfinal matches to setup a showdown to reach the 2023 Finals. Kyncolva stated after her victory over Aerial Xu (City of College of San Francisco), "It has been hard the past couple weeks with the rainouts and dealing with injuries, but I am good and ready to go." In the other quarterfinal matchups, Mane Sargsyan (Glendale) defeated Katherine Busani (Grossmont) 6-1, 6-3 and Hana Moss (College of the Desert) defeated Logan Koitka (Orange Coast College) 6-3, 6-4.

In the semifinals, West and Kynclova were facing each other for the fourth time this season and the seventh time over the past two years. The first set did not disappoint as the two went back and forth, but ultimately West won 7-5. Kynclova's shoulder ultimately caused her to retire from the match, sending West to back-to-back state finals. West stated after the match, "It feels pretty good, I have been practicing and hitting non-stop and eating well and hopefully this time I have a better result in the final."

In the other semifinal, Sargsyan won the first set 7-5, but the numerous COD spectators sparked Moss in the second set. After Moss went up 4-2, Sargsyan broke her serve and ultimately tied the set 4-4, but then Moss returned the favor and closed out the set 6-4. In the deciding third set, the COD fans continued to motivate Moss and pushed her to victory winning the third set 6-3. Moss said after the match, "If it wasn't for my team cheering for me, I don't think I would have pushed through in that second set. I am so happy that they are there for me and I decided to stay calm on my shots in the second set. I stayed true to my heart and I gave it all I got in the third set and I am happy that I pulled through."

On the doubles side, four different schools will be represented in the semifinals, Glendale College, LA Mission, Orange Coast College and College of the Desert. Singles finalist, Moss, will be vying for an opportunity to make both finals. The closest quarterfinal match was between Nell Elaerts and Talia Lieb (Ventura College) and Anna Kynclova and Lia Sarjveladze (LA Mission), 6-4, 6-7 (4-7), 10-8. The Ventura duo almost made the comeback, but fell just short, which Kynclova was able to overcome her earlier injury.

The doubles semifinals will begin at 8am, followed by the singles finals and the tournament will end with the doubles finals.