An unforeseen turn of events occurred early in the match when Franklin’s no. 2 singles was forced to retire due to a pulled hip muscle at 4-4 in the first set, gifting MT singles no. 2 Nancy Tran the win. Far from being discouraged, however, Franklin singles no. 1 struck back against MT singles no.1 Judy Chen for a 6-1, 6-1 win to even the score. Prospects seemed hopeful after MT singles no. 4 Cindy Giang and singles no. 5 Sidney Tran took their matches with relative ease 7-6(4), 6-3 and 6-4, 6-3 respectively. The Wildcats again had an answer for the Mustangs, knocking out MT no. 6 singles Kristina Lam 6-2, 6-4 before Franklin doubles no. 2 dispatched MT doubles no. 2 Sheelta Kumar and Silvia Giang 6-3, 6-3.

The match score was dead even when MT doubles no. 3 Ilaha Taimoori and Karen Johal prevailed with a 6-4, 7-5 victory and put Monterey Trail one win away from taking the first match of the season. MT no. 3 Christina Luu seemed likely to contribute that singe win, but let a 1 set lead slip away as she bowed out to Frankin 3-6, 7-6(3), 7-6.     The match was to be decided by a single team, and MT doubles no. 1 Agnes Chan and Karen Tran proved their mettle, rallying from a set down to edge out Franklin’s no. 1 doubles (5)6-7, 6-5, 11-9 and hand the Mustangs victory.

Overall score: MT 5, Franklin 4.

Playing a day after Christian Brothers High School handed them an 8 to 1 loss, the Mustangs were eager for victory and visibly dominant as 5 of the 6 singles players promptly established a 1 set to 0 lead. First to the finish line was no. 2 Judy Chen, who ousted her opponent 6-3, 6-2 and was followed by victories by the rest of the bottom 4 singles players: no. 3 Cindy Giang 6-4, 6-3; no. 6 Kristina Lam 6-1, 6-0; no. 5 Sidney Tran  6-3, 6-1; and no. 5 Christina Luu, who’s forehand was on point to take it 6-3, 6-1. These 5 matches were enough to give the team an unsurpassable 5-0 lead, effectively winning the match.

The only defeats of the day were both airtight matches that went the distance: Natomas no.1 prevailed over MT no. 1 Nancy Tran 6-2, 4-6, 11-9 and Natomas doubles no.1 outlasted MT doubles no. 1 Agnes Chan and Sheelta Kumar 6-4, 6-7(8), 10-8. MT doubles no. 2. Silvia Giang and Karen Tran took their match 6-2, 6-4, accompanied by the thus far undefeated no. 3 doubles team of Ilaha Taimoori and Karen Johal, who wrapped up the evening on triumphant note with an 8-2 pro-set match.

Overall score: MT 7, Natomas 2.