GCC Women's Doubles Team achieves success on the court and friendship off it during 2023 season
Once unfamiliar as teammates, Minne Mardrosians and Mane Sargysan forged a partnership for the Glendale College Women's Tennis Team that made them one of the top doubles teams in the state. Their solid play in singles and doubles earned them honors galore at the Western State Conference, state and All-American levels, but one achievement for them stands out among all the others.
On a glorious day at the prestigious Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament, Mardrosians jumped into the arms of doubles partner Sargsyan after the doubles team partners advanced to the semifinals in the community college division on April 29 and earn medal honors. The shared joy between the two players who came together from different parts of the world to become teammates at Glendale College, and likely friends forever, is really what community college athletics is all about.
And sports as well.
The beauty of tennis was on display at Ojai and throughout the season for the Lady Vaqs as the team finished tied for second place in the Western State Conference at 9-3 and were 13-8 overall and advanced to the first round of the Southern California Regionals before falling to College of the Desert, 5-4 on April 11. The record for the Lady Vaqs was impacted by losing six of seven matches by the scores of 5-4.
Sargysan is a freshman from Armenia by way of Montreal, Canada and Mardrosians is a sophomore from Iran, but their cultural heritage is only part of the story. Sargysan took over for Mardrosians as the No, 1 singles player after winning a ladder challenge match early in the season and the result seemed to help both players focus on their strengths and combine their talents to form a top doubles team.
"The challenges of performing at a high level towards the end of the season can take a toll on anyone. What Mane and Minne have been able to accomplish is outstanding," said head Coach Deo Sy. "As a coach, I'm proud of them to say the least. The sacrifice and dedication they have given has inspired not only their teammates but everyone around them.''
On a team made up of only seven players and the required six for most matches, the double partners had nothing but good things to say about their experience playing for GCC and with each other. "For me it was about what was best for the team and playing with Mane was more than I could have hoped for and for us as a group. I'm more of a finess player and that meshed well with her style and when I look at that Ojai medal, I can't help but be so grateful for the experience," Minne said. "I didn't know what to expect when I joined the team a few days before the season started but being part of the team really helped me feel part of things. As far as singles and doubles go, I like to hit the ball hard and playing with Minne offered a good compliment to my style and I credit that for our success.''
Tennis can be at times a frustrating and unforgiving sport but at its best, hitting the yellow ball across a net can be poetry in motion as Minne Mardrosians and Mane Sargysans showed for GCC Women's Tennis in 2023.