‘Balers Tobias, Panger make it to semis of TCAL Finals but can’t
break through
Salinas
The season is complete for the rather youthful San Benito boys tennis team, as the Haybalers battled top dogs Palma and Salinas at last week’s Tri-County Athletic League Finals but failed to push anyone into post-season play.
“It was a good note,” coach Chris Yoder said of the season-ending tournament. “They played well against some better players. Their skills (next year) will be sharper.”
Palma and Salinas were named co-champions of the TCAL after last Thursday’s year-end tournament at Everett Alvarez, but it’ll be Palma, due to the tie-breaker rule, that will represent the league at the Central Coast Section Boys Tennis Championships.
On Thursday at the Salinas high school, Mark Tobias defeated Gilroy’s Sai Erdenechimeg 8-1 in the opening round and Alvarez’ PJ Vargas 8-2 before falling to Salinas’ Farren Casad 6-2, 6-0 in the semifinal round.
Derek Panger had a similar draw, as he defeated Zack Nissen of Monte Vista Christian 8-0 and Watsonville’s Javier Vargas 8-1. In the semis, though, Panger lost to Salinas’ John Hackbert 6-2, 6-3.
The doubles pair of Tony Culler and Joe Frusetta lost to Chris Manlongat and Austin Duke 8-2 in the opening round, but then won their next two matches to reach the consolation finals.
There, the San Benito duo fell to Gilroy’s Mitch Souza and Matt Chan.
‘Balers DJ Nielson and Jon Rudolfs teamed up to defeat Watsonville’s Sandro Rularia and Christian Barajas 8-3 in the first round, but lost in the second round to a doubles team from Salinas, 8-6.
With only one graduating senior – Michael Labuguen – on this year’s squad, San Benito should return even stronger next season, and that’s exactly what Yoder is hoping for.
“They got an opportunity to see where they are against better players. We’ll prepare accordingly,” said Yoder, who expects his squad to play for the junior tennis teams and in tournaments during the off-season.
“That’s what I would like to see,” Yoder added. “Palma looks quite young and Salinas looks young, but we’re gonna be a lot better.”
