Women's Tennis: Vikings' Tigas, Aguilar qualify for State Championships

Long Beach City College women's tennis sophomores Nikki Tigas (Wilson HS) and Judith Aguilar (Poly HS) have both qualified for the state championship tournament following their finishes at the South Coast Conference Championships on April 9-11.

Tigas will compete in singles action for the Vikings and will team up with Aguilar in doubles at this week's California Community College Athletic Association State Championships. The tournament is set for April 23-26 at the prestigious Ojai Valley Athletic Club in Ojai.

The duo opens play on Thursday. Tigas will face Harley Pena of Fresno City College in a singles opening-round match. The winner of that contest will advance to the second round to face No. 11 North seed Claudia Plascencia Astudillo of American River College on Friday.

In doubles, Aguilar and Tigas will take on the  team of Pauline Asuncion and Deanne Dinio of Diablo Valley College in the first round. The winners get the No. 6 South seed duo of Teresa de Anda and Bettina Olah from Palomar College on Friday.

 Tigas earned her spot in the state championships after defeating Shenae Shampine of El Camino College in the women's singles back draw at the conference tournament. In the doubles back draw, Aguilar and Tigas beat the team of Lujon/Monroy of Rio Hondo College to secure their trip.

The Vikings are led by first-year head coach Renzo Maggi.