I-A TENNIS: Clark’s Pasimio, Ong grab region title

Clark's Marcus Pasimio and Christian Ong were on different sides of the net in last year's Division I-A Southern Region boys doubles final.

They make better friends than enemies.

Pasimio and Ong won nine of the final 11 games of the match Tuesday to secure a 7-5, 6-2 victory over Moapa Valley's Andy Beckstrand and Koby Frei in the region final at the Darling Tennis Center.

"We get along really well on and off the court," said Pasimio, who paired with Chaitanya Ingle to defeat Justin Ong and Christian Ong in an all-Clark region final last year. Pasimio and Ingle went on to win a share of the state title when their final match in the state tournament was called due to rain.

Down 4-5 in the first set on Tuesday, the Clark duo broke serve to even the set and turn the momentum.

Pasimio's overheads and drop volleys at the net helped the team secure the first set, and both Chargers were solid the rest of the way, using a combination of powerful groundstrokes and precision touch at the net to open a 4-1 lead in the second set and cruise to the win.

"He's better at the net than I am, but we both do some things well," Christian Ong said. "We manage."

The top four finishers in each Division I-A region flight advance to the state tournament.

Clark also will gun for its fourth consecutive boys team title at state.

"This gives us quite a bit of confidence," Christian Ong said.

In the boys singles final, Clark's Michael Pasimio showed no signs of letting go of his stranglehold on titles, downing Alex Lanzkowsky of The Meadows, 6-1, 6-1 in the final.

The two games were the only two that the defending region and state champion dropped in eight sets in the region tournament.

GIRLS

Sierra Vista's Andrada Stanciu nearly lost in the semifinals Monday before overcoming a 5-1 third-set deficit.

For the second straight day, the freshman climbed out of a hole and found a way to win.

Stanciu rallied for a 3-6, 6-1, 6-3 win over Faith Lutheran's Madison Foley in the girls singles final.

"I just stayed more consistent," Stanciu said. "I saw that she was getting tired, and I just tried to keep the ball in play until she made a mistake."

Both players had reason to be tired in a match that lasted nearly 2 ½ hours.

Stanciu, who rallied for a 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 win in the semifinals, broke each of the last three times Foley served to earn the win.

"I knew it would be difficult," Stanciu said. "I knew she would play well, and I just had to try to play better."

Stanciu is hoping to win Sierra Vista's second straight girls singles title. Averiana Mitchell won the state crown last year, but opted not to play this season.

"Two comebacks give me a lot of confidence that I can at least advance if not win state," Stanciu said.

In the girls doubles final, The Meadows' Olivia Waysack and Ava Frazier outlasted Carolyn DiPasquale and Dina Ciulla of Faith Lutheran, 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(5).

FOR SIDEBAR

Boys Region Tennis Draw

https://nevadapreps.com/boys-tennis/2015-boys-region-tennis-draws

Girls Region Tennis Draw

https://nevadapreps.com/girls-tennis/2015-girls-region-tennis-draws