San Diego Mesa College freshman Mikayla Aguilar (Patrick Henry HS) faced Irvine Valley College Chien Tu three times in conference play this season. All three times they faced off, Tu came out victorious.
The timing to log her first victory against Tu could not have come at a better time.
The #6 seed Aguilar upset the #3 seed Tu at the 2019 PCAC Individual Play-Offs this weekend 7-21, 21-17, 21-12. By advancing to the semifinals, Aguilar qualifies for the state tournament. Aguilar lost in the next round to the #2 seed out of San Diego City College Anita Xayasomcloth.
Jollifree Panal also had a strong performance in the tournament. Panal reached the quarterfinals and fell to the #1 seed, and eventual tournament champion, Sum Yin Ngai of San Diego City College 21-13, 21-4.
In doubles play, both Aguilar and Panal advanced to the semifinal round where they lost to the #2 seed Chien Tu and Li Yan from Irvine Valley College 21-13, 14-21, 12-21.
“We couldn’t be prouder of both Mikayla and Jolli who will represent us at the state tournament in singles and doubles,” states head coach June Andrews. “It has been 4 years since we’ve had players qualify, these two are the perfect players to represent Mesa College in a couple of weeks.