Downey Girls Tennis No. 1 doubles team of (L-R) Joanne Yu and Aneris Ortega compete against Warren in a Gateway League match Tuesday, September 27 at Warren High. Downey won in a tie break, 4-2. (Photo by Mia Hattery)

DOWNEY – With the formation of a re-aligned league this year, new tie-breaker rules also came into effect for girls tennis

Both Downey and Warren high school girls tennis teams will compete in the new Suburban Valley Conference, Gateway League, this season and the two rivals put on quite a show in their first meeting, Tuesday (September 27), that ended in a thrilling tie-breaker.

After all, it was Downey versus Warren and it was only fitting that the rivalry would come down to a dramatic ending.

The new tie-breaker rule, after both teams are tied in sets and games, goes to a third scenario. The No. 1, 2 and 3 singles and doubles players of each team face off for a 7-point, winner-take-all champion.

Downey, which improved to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in league, won the tie-breaker, 4-2, at Warren High.

After the sets were all even at 9-9 and the total number of games won were also even at 72-72, the final six sets would determine a winner.

“Our No. 1 doubles team of Aneris Ortega and Joanne Yu led the way,” Downey Girls Tennis coach Micah Karzen said. “They swept all three sets - 6-4, 6-3, and 6-1 and won their tiebreak 7-5. Overall, they have won 12 of 14 sets this seson.

“Our No. 1 singles, Camila Guzman, won two of three sets, going 6-4, 4-6, and 6-1, and she won her tiebreak, 8-6.”

Karzen said of his top doubles team – “Aneris and Joanne have led us to a 4-1 record and 2-0 in league so far, winning 12 of their 14 sets.

Camila has been our leader in singles, going 9-6.”

The match came down to the last few tie-breaking points.

In fact, the last two Downey players off the court in the tie-break were the difference in the match.

Guzman won her singles tie-break, 8-6 and Ortega and Yu were victorious with a 7-5 win.

Prior to the tie-break games, Downey needed a couple of victorious games to even the match, 9-9.

Freshman Bethany Herrera was the key to the first tie breaker, which was games won.

Herrera needed to win at least two of her games in the third set to give Downey a tie or win three to win the match outright.

She lost, 2-6, but those all-important two wins gave the Vikings the 72-72 games-won tie total. She was trailing, 1-4, but won the next game (2-4) and eventually lost her set, but the two wins were enough.

“Our singles No. 3, Bethany Herrera, was determined to win or get a tie,” Yu said. “She really did well. I’m so proud of her.

“After Bethany’s game, I overheard the coaches had told everyone needs to go out and play a tie-break.”

Also, a big part of the dramatic 9-9 tie in sets between the two teams was the 6-2, third set win by Guzman.

“Everyone cheered really loud,” said Yu, of the dramatic win. “We came home excited. It felt amazing.”

Adding to the long day for both teams was the extreme heat.

“It’s very hot, but I’m better in the heat,” added Yu.

Yu’s partner, Aneris Ortega, was not fond of the heat, however.

“I felt weak,” she said. “It made me nervous because of the heat.

“It was really important to beat them the first time and it gives us motivation for next time.”

In the second round, Downey will host Warren. The all-important match will be Thursday (October 13).

Ortega also said of her partner Yu during the 7-point tie-breaker – “I was all frustrated and told my partner we just had to get through it,” she said. “My partner kept saying, ‘no pressure, no pressure.”

The rivalry goes deep to every sport on the two campuses.

“It feels really amazing and exhilarating to beat (Warren).” added Ortega. “Our spirits are raised because we won the first match.”

Guzman, who is a senior, had never been in a tie-break – “This is the first time to get to a tie-break.

“It was extremely draining,” said Guzman, of the 95-degree heat. “I had already put my bracket away.”

As for her coach, Micah Karzen, Guzman said – It’s been really nice having him as coach. Thankfully, with Karzen he’s level-headed.

“He’s very helpful and beneficial and moral support.”

Downey has another league match Thursday (September 29) at home against Gahr (results not available at press time).

Downey players

No. 1 Singles – Camila Guzman, Sr.

No. 2 Singles – San Tia, So.

No. 3 Singles – Bethany Herrera, Fr.

No. 1 Doubles – Aneris Ortega, Jr./Joanne Yu, So.

No. 2 Doubles – Samantha Marquez, Jr./Susan Kang, Jr.

No. 3 Doubles – Isabel Park, Sr./Stephanie Torres, Jr.

Singles alternate – Pauline Lee, Fr.

Doubles alternates – Isabelle Martinez, Jr., Grace Hernandez, Jr., Molly Ceja, Sr., Kim Lopez-Perez, Sr.

Warren players

No. 1 Singles – Samantha Pinedo

No. 2 Singles – Jeilyn Rodriguez

No. 3 Singles – Miranda Delgado

No. 1 Doubles – Madeline Saldana/Samantha De La Rosa

No. 2 Doubles – Alyssa Hernandez/Camila Partida

No. 3 Doubles – Kathleen Sanchez/Christine Formeta

Downey goes to tie-breaker to defeat Warren in Gateway League match