Carson Loses in 3-A Final : Tennis: South Gate senior Aida Orejel rallies in final match to give Rams a sweep of singles and their first City championship.

South Gate Coach Brian Scott knew Aida Orejel was a set ahead and only one point from winning her match against Carson’s Merry Arrogante. He knew the teams were tied, 3-3, and that this match would determine the City 3-A Division girls’ tennis title.

But Scott didn’t crack a smile until Arrogante knocked the ball over the baseline to give Orejel the match, 6-4, 6-4, clinching the championship, 4-3, for the Rams on Thursday at the Racquet Center in Studio City.

In a first-round playoff match against Narbonne in 1992, the Rams (15-0) had been in a similar situation.

“It was 3-3 in matches,” Scott said. “Our doubles team had won the first set and were up, 5-1, 40-15, in the second. We choked. The girls wound up losing 12 straight games. So I don’t get too excited.”

The Ram players showed excitement, however, rushing the court to congratulate Orejel.

Orejel, a senior, rallied from a 4-1 deficit in the first set and 2-1 in the second.

“I kind of relaxed a little,” said Arrogante, a junior. “She caught up so quick, I kind of lost confidence.”

The City title was a first for the Rams, who swept the three other singles matches. Roxana Vidaurre defeated Christina Banania, 6-0, 6-1, Linda Hong bounced Jemeline Venados, 6-2, 6-2, and Nadia Arviso beat Magnolia Ramos, 6-0, 6-0.

Carson (14-1) won the three doubles matches. Lynce Escarnacion and Jessica Quileza beat Norma Quintero and Benina Laureano, 6-1, 6-1. Quileza served four aces.

“I never ace like that,” said Quileza, a sophomore. “It was the best match I ever had.”

Juanita Nerida and Rhusell Bombarda easily defeated Diana Esinoza and Vero Vallecillo, 6-0, 6-1, and Vivian Nguyen and Rose Bombarda got past Sandra Vallecillo and Claudia Arana, 6-2, 6-3.

It was the second consecutive loss for Carson in the City final. The Colts lost to Eagle Rock, 4-3, last year.

“We’ll be back,” Arrogante said.