Irvine Valley's women's badminton team ran into a tough Pasadena City squad on Wednesday at the Southern California Regional Final at Pasadena with a trip to the CCCAA State Championship on the line.
Pasadena City picked up its third Southern California title in a row, defeating Irvine Valley, 15-6, at PCC's Hutto-Patterson Gymnasium.
The Lancers needed just three rounds to clinch the regional crown, leading 11-5 and not having rely on the No. 1 singles result or the final two doubles to reach the magic 11 majority team points.
In the first round, PCC jumped out to a 5-1 lead thanks to strong singles play and never looked back. Pasadena City won nine of the 12 singles matches and three of five doubles contests on the day.
PCC (12-0) extended its overall win streak to 25 matches going back to the start of last season.
The Lasers picked up two wins from freshman top player Michelle Chen at No. 1 singles. She defeated Pasadena City top player Natalie Ong, 21-12, 21-10, and then defeated Lancer No. 2 player Amy Huang, 23-21, 21-17.
But those were only two of three victories that IVC could earn in singles on the day.
Freshman Jessie Mei defeated Grace Bajar at no. 5 singles, 21-7, 19-21, 21-10.
Irvine Valley also earned a win from its top doubles team of Chen and Emily Yang and the No. 3 team of sophomore Anne Olsen and freshman Neeyati Ajmera.
The Lasers end their team season with a record of 8-2 overall. They did win the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference title.
Pasadena City will now prepare for its second straight rematch of the CCCAA State Championship finals against perennial foe and NorCal champion Fresno City College on Thursday, May 10 at San Diego City College. Pasadena City won the title last year.
Irvine Valley will have several players compete in the individual singles and doubles tournaments as part of the state championship next Friday and Saturday at San Diego City.
