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Duenas supplements doubles dominance with key victory
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CERES — East Union head coach Julia Bylow thought her Lancers matched up well with Central Valley Tuesday.

East Union rolled to a 10-5 win over Central Valley during the round-robin stage of the Valley Oak League season, but the change in format for the second half could have made a big difference for the visiting Hawks.

It didn’t.

With East Union’s doubles teams doing what was expected of them, No. 2 singles player Ashley Duenas picked up the necessary point for the Lancers to prevail, 3-2. With Central Valley’s Jessica Rodriguez slotted at No. 1, Bylow hoped to get something out of the No. 2 or 3 matches.

Duenas easily dispatched Katie Avila, 6-2, 6-1, despite a bruised hand.

“We knew we’d be strong on our doubles based on our first meeting, but we also knew someone needed to step up in singles,” Bylow said. “Ashley did that for us. She’s a tough little gal, so I’m proud of the way she played today.”

Klasey Kachalkin and Shalane Jackson, one of the league’s top pairs, cruised 6-2, 6-1 against Mikela Belcher and Jasmine Martinez. At No. 2 doubles, East Union’s Ciara Jones and Kim Paulson defeated Eva Noorzai and Taylor Rogers 6-3, 6-1.

East Union (4-6) heads to Oakdale Thursday to face the second-place Mustangs.

Sierra 4, Weston Ranch 1
Yurie Kosake picked up the lone win for host Weston Ranch (3-6) Monday. She edged out Kelly Fuentes 6-7 (6-8), 6-3, 10-6.

Sierra (6-3) dominated elsewhere. Vannida Nguyen got past Nicole Bowen in three sets (6-4, 0-6, 6-1) in the No. 1 singles showdown. Ann McFerran beat Vy Hoang 6-1, 6-3.

Jena Anderson and Stephanie Vanni claimed a 6-2, 6-1 victory at No. 1 doubles, and Maryann Baker and Kayla Erion prevailed by the same scores.
— Jonamar Jacinto