This year’s focus is on fundamentals
It’s not even March, winter sports aren’t even completed, and
just a couple preseason matches are all that is on the horizon for
most spring sports teams.
This year’s focus is on fundamentals
It’s not even March, winter sports aren’t even completed, and just a couple preseason matches are all that is on the horizon for most spring sports teams.
And few – very few – are even pondering where they stack up against other league opponents at this early – very early – juncture.
But the San Benito High boys’ tennis team is already gauging the competition and thinking about their Tri-County Athletic League future. And really, they have no other option.
With just two preseason matches under their belts, the Haybalers opened TCAL play on Thursday against Salinas at the Ridgemark Golf and Country Club in Hollister. Although the match was held after The Pinnacle’s press time, second-year coach Chris Yoder said his team is far better at this point than they were last year, but still have a long way to go.
“Our team is better this year, oh yes,” Yoder said. “We just need to keep sharpening our fundamentals. That’s all we can do, just keep making our fundamentals better and get better with our execution.”
Part of the team’s improvement since last season revolves around the simple fact that San Benito returned 12 players, nearly its entire roster. The Balers only graduated one senior in 2008 – Michael Labuguen – while returning all four singles players and all three doubles teams.
But this year already, Yoder has picked up six additional players as well, and suddenly last year’s 13-member squad is now at 18. And the excess of tennis talent – only 10 can start at the varsity level – has provided a competitive challenge ladder early in the season.
“Our (challenge) ladder isn’t totally set yet,” Yoder said. “There are still guys who need to challenge.
“We’re still trying to establish the pecking order, the food chain. It’s not totally set yet and we’re still working at that.”
As of Tuesday evening, though, Derek Panger was holding down the No. 1 singles position for the Balers, much like he had all of last season.
“It’s going to be interesting to see what people were seniors last year and left,” Panger said of other TCAL opponents. “But we’ve got a few more people and we’re a lot more balanced. People are better this year, so we’ll see where we rank up against some of the better teams.”
Last season, Palma and Salinas finished in a tie atop the TCAL, and it’s expected to be those two teams again this season. Yoder doesn’t believe either team graduated much in terms of talent.
“They were both pretty young,” Yoder said. “I don’t see them being any weaker than they were last year.
“But we basically have the same team as last year, plus we got a few incoming freshman and even a few seniors that came out that didn’t play last year.”
Similar to last year, Mark Tobias is currently occupying the No. 2 singles position, while freshman Kyle Skinner controls No. 3, as of Tuesday night. Austin Pan, who played mostly doubles last season, is carrying the No. 4 spot.
“People that haven’t even played since last year just come up and they all seem to hit a lot better than last season as well,” Panger said.
In doubles, Jon Rudolfs and Tony Culler have earned the top spot in the early season, while newcomers Josh Greenwood and Mike Jensen are occupying the No. 2 position.
“Josh Greenwood is a senior and he’s never played before,” Yoder said. “He started playing in October and he’s playing No. 2 doubles. He’s doing well and he’s making a contribution.”
Thomas Parcell returns from last year and is teaming up with freshman Eric Johnson to make the No. 3 doubles team.
Meanwhile, Michael Freliar, Jacob Panger, Joe Frusetta, Mark Starritt, Connor Bray, DJ Nielson, Robby Sanchez and Michael Brigantino all remain in the fold, and all are currently competing for a starting spot.
“Our team is playing better,” Yoder said. “All around, they’re a little bit more confident this year than last year, and doing a little bit of conditioning.”
Although San Benito hasn’t qualified a tennis player to the Central Coast Section playoffs since 2000 – when Eddie Barrios qualified in singles – Panger and Tobias came relatively close last year.
Panger, a senior, reached the semifinal round of last year’s TCAL Finals after he downed Monte Vista Christian’s Zack Nissen 8-0 and Watsonville’s Javier Vargas 8-1 before falling to Salinas’ John Hackbert 6-2, 6-3.
Tobias had a similar route as well, defeating Gilroy’s Sai Erdenechimeg 8-1 and Alvarez’ PJ Vargas 8-2 before losing to Salinas’ Farren Casad 6-2, 6-0.
In order to crack into the CCS playoffs, though, Panger and Tobias would need to post a similar result this year, plus win those last two matches in the semifinals and finals.
“They were both knocking on the door,” Yoder said. “I think they could do that well again this year or possibly better, because they’ll be playing better toward the end of the season.”
San Benito, which lost to Carmel 7-0 and defeated Sobrato 6-1 already this season, will host Gilroy at the Ridgemark Golf and Country Club Tuesday at 4 p.m.
