The San Benito Lady ‘Balers were delivered both good and bad
news on Thursday in Salinas.
The San Benito Lady ‘Balers were delivered both good and bad news on Thursday in Salinas.
The bad news came when the tennis squad lost their first and only match of the season at Salinas, 6-1.
As a result, San Benito and Salinas – both ending their seasons with matching 15-1 records – will finish the season as co-champions of the Tri-County Athletic League.
But coach Ed Cecena said it was the first time ever San Benito has won the TCAL in tennis, and more importantly, the Lady ‘Balers won a tiebreaker that will send them, as a team, to the Central Coast Section Playoffs on Nov. 6.
“Once I told them we were going to CCS, that was the icing on the cake,” Cecena said.
Although they’ll share the TCAL crown, San Benito wound up winning the third tiebreaker, which stated that the most recent team to represent the league at CCS would be the second choice.
Salinas was the most recent team to represent the CCS, and the Lady ‘Balers will advance and represent the TCAL. Salinas, however, may have a chance of qualifying for the CCS with an at-large bid.
“The girls are still in good spirits,” Cecena said. “The girls took it well, and we’re not finished yet.”
San Benito will now prepare for the TCAL Tournament on Monday and Tuesday, with the tourney starting Monday at Salinas High School at noon. On Tuesday, the tennis will continue with the semifinals and finals for both singles and doubles at Everett Alvarez High School in Salinas. Times for Tuesday are not yet determined.
On Thursday in Salinas, the host Cowboys were “well prepared,” Cecena said.
No. 1 singles player Taryn Andrews defeated Amanda Marshall 6-1, 6-4, while No. 2 Cowboy Teagan Seeley beat Yumi Chang 6-1, 6-0. Salinas’ Christina Taylor defeated San Benito’s Kaitlyn O’Keefe 6-4, 6-3, and No. 4 singles player Gabby Overholt beat Abby Woods 6-3, 6-3.
In doubles, the No. 1 team of Elena Fata and Rachel Maheu picked up San Benito’s lone win by beating Zudra Bell and Shelby Weber 6-2, 6-1. The No. 2 team of Kristin Shiwizn and Lily O’Mary for Salinas defeated Marisa Ibarra and Crystal Perreira 7-6, 3-6 (10-4). San Benito’s No. 3 doubles pairing of Bri Ahumada-Wolfsmith and Rachel Smith lost 6-3, 4-6 (12-10).
“We played real well and we had a couple of matches that could have gone either way,” Cecena said. “Co-champs is still a great achievement.”
On Nov. 3, San Benito will receive their ranking for the CCS tournament, with the higher seeds hosting matches.
