PCC’s Angie Ortiz Captures State Badminton Singles Title

Freshman Angie Ortiz performed a Pasadena City College athletics first Saturday afternoon. The Lancer captured the CCCAA State Individual Singles championship, the first by a PCC player in the 13 years of California Community College women’s badminton. In the finals match at San Diego City College, Ortiz rallied from a set down to defeat City College of San Francisco’s Evonne Zheng, 18-21, 21-12, 21-12.

Ortiz had a 44-match win streak in singles and doubles snapped during the Southern California team championship match on May 2 v. San Diego. Ortiz immediately bounced back from her first singles loss by winning both the South Coast Conference individual singles and doubles titles (May 4).

That set up the state championships as she won four matches over two days to take the gold medal. In the semifinals, Ortiz avenged her only singles loss against the player that beat her in the SoCal match–San Diego’s LanAnh Nguyen. Ortiz swept Nguyen, 21-19, 21-19.

Ortiz talked about the impact of winning the state title.

“I knew if I got to the third game I’d be fine,” Ortiz said.  “I am honored to be the first PCC player to win a state title. There have been so many great players in the last few years, and I thank them for building the badminton program for the current players. My motto this season has been has been hard work beats talent when talent does not work hard.”

PCC Coach Bill Sanchez talked about Ortiz’s title run.

“She was very determined and focused after getting beat at the SoCal final,” Sanchez said. “Angie is such a sound player technically, but her best attribute is she hustles on every shot. Once she won the first match, she got on a roll. In the finals, I think Zheng thought she would fold after the first set. Instead, Angie took control and played a superb match. It’s so gratifying to see Angie come through when some of our great players in recent seasons could not. It’s a high point for our program.”

Ortiz, who is from Guadalajara, Mexico, attended Pasadena High and won the CIF Southern Section singles title in her senior season. The 19-year-old Ortiz plans on returning to PCC next season. The Lancers went 13-1 this season in team play and won their fourth straight conference team title.