Battle of the Unbeatens: LA Mission and Sierra Collide for State Crown
Women's Tennis Championships Page
Ventura, Calif. - Something has to give.
The 2026 3C2A Women's Dual Team State Championship features a true battle of the unbeatens, as SoCal No. 1 seed LA Mission College will square off against NorCal No. 1 seed Sierra College on April 22 at Ventura College.
Wednesday's final promises to be a fitting conclusion to the 2026 campaign after both programs cruised through their respective regular seasons and postseasons.
No. 1 LA Mission College (24-0 Overall, 14-0 Western State Conference)
LA Mission finds itself in prime position in just its fifth year as a program.
Established in 2022, the Eagles were competitive in 2024 and 2025 before fully breaking out this season. Western State Conference (WSC) Coach of the Year Joe Cascione has turned LA Mission into a Southern California heavyweight using a roster composed of local talent who live within 15 minutes of the college. With a perfect 24-0 record, six shutouts, and a WSC regular-season crown on its 2026 resume, LA Mission is relishing the opportunity.
"We didn't set out to go 24-0, but we did hope to build a real structured program," said Cascione. "This team has pulled together from day one. We have a great coaching staff, and they come in and practice hard every day. They play for one another, not just themselves. Little things go a long way, and our team togetherness in such an individual sport is a real blessing."
The Eagles swept past No. 8 Grossmont and No. 4 Canyons before facing their toughest test in the SoCal Regional final. Squaring off against 10-time state champion and 2026 Orange Empire Conference winner Orange Coast College, LA Mission dismantled the No. 2 seeded Pirates 5-1 to punch their ticket to the state title match.
Priscilla Grinner, America Fragoso, and Alitzel Ortega Partida all earned WSC First Team honors in singles. The duos of Amy Nghiem/Fragoso and Josilyn Rivera/Ortega Partida also secured WSC First Team selections in doubles.
No. 1 Sierra College (11-0 Overall, 5-0 Big 8)
The Wolverines have spent all season ranked No. 1 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association 3C2A NorCal Regional rankings for a reason. Sierra rolled to an 11-0 overall record, a Big 8 regular season and conference championship, and matched LA Mission with six regular-season shutouts of their own.
Sierra has elevated its game to another level in the NorCal Regional playoffs by refusing to allow a single point. After sweeping No. 8 Cabrillo (5-0) and No. 4 Fresno City (5-0), the Wolverines locked horns with Central Valley Conference champion Sequoias (COS) in the regional final. COS had just pulled off an upset over three-time defending state champion American River, but Sierra halted that momentum by delivering another 5-0 sweep to capture the NorCal crown.
Sierra No. 1 Svetlana Nyu remains undefeated on the season, earning Modesto Tournament and Big 8 individual titles in the process. She, along with doubles partner Emma Patterson, won the Modesto Tournament and Big 8 doubles as well. Patterson also won an individual title on the No. 2 line during Modesto.
"This is a special team because we set a goal at the beginning of the year to get to this point," said head coach Sasha Macktinger. "This group has really bonded together to make it happen, and it's really cool to see. I'm proud of what this team has accomplished to this point and looking forward to what else we have in store."
Sierra is making its second-ever appearance in the state championship match and is hunting for its first state title since 2007.
Courtesy of Matt Berson, RealSID.com