Women's badminton team advances to State Championship
Apr 29, 2009
The Irvine Valley women's badminton team is back in the State Championship.
The Lasers moved into the state final after a three-year absence with a 19-2 win over Pasadena City in the Southern California Regional Team Final on Wednesday afternoon at Irvine Valley.
The Lasers were last in the state final in 2005, beating Skyline. It was the last of four straight state titles for the Lasers (2002-05).
IVC will play for this year's CCCAA Women's Badminton Championship on Thursday, May 7 at 3 p.m. at Irvine Valley against the City College of San Francisco.
On Wednesday, Irvine Valley won 10 of 12 singles contests and all five doubles matches in defeating Pasadena City.
Olympian Eva Lee led the Lasers in sigles. Irvine Valley's top player beat Cindy Fu, 21-0, 21-0, and Jessica Chan, 21-2, 21-4.
Irvine Valley No. 2 player Vimla Phongasavithas won, 21-4, 21-7, and 21-5, 21-5.
Anoma Phongasavithas (21-5, 21-7, and 21-6, 21-6) and Ludie Duco (21-15, 21-18, and 21-7, 21-17) also won their two singles matches in straight sets for IVC.
Stephanie Le, IVC's No. 5 singles player, won her first match in straight sets and her second match in three sets.
In doubles action, Vimla Phongasavithas and Shannon Hsu teamed at the No. 1 spot for Irvine Valley. The duo defeated Fu and Amy Ly, 21-6, 21-5, and Chan and Jean Ma, 21-8, 21-4.
Amona Phongasavithas and Helen Tang won, 21-9, 21-2, and 21-11, 21-5, at No. 2 doubles for Irvine Valley and the Lasers' No. 3 team of Duco and Shelly Stephan won its lone match, 21-16, 21-6.
Next up for Irvine Valley is the Orange Empire Conference Finals on Friday at Fullerton.