Balers’ tennis seeks improvement, consistency

Two years ago, the San Benito High boys’ tennis team went a perfect 12-0.
Last year, having graduated all of the top players from that 2012 squad, the Haybalers went 0-14. Even by high school standards, where teams can experience dramatic record changes from year to year, the Haybalers’ recent seesaw of ups and downs has been glaring.
“We’ve had some pretty violent swings in the last couple of years,” said Balers coach Chris Yoder, who is in his sixth year with the program. “We were hurting last year, but this year should be a lot better.”
Indeed, while San Benito was overmatched last year playing in the Monterey Bay League’s upper Gabilan Division, it figures to be plenty more competitive playing in the lower Pacific Division this season.
The Balers, who entered this week with a 0-4 mark, are still inexperienced — a couple of their players only started playing tennis a little over a year ago — but they are improved an improved bunch.
“We are in the appropriate division now and expecting a more productive season, for sure,” said Yoder, who is the club tennis pro at Ridgemark. “The goal is to improve, of course, and pick up some wins along the way.”
Yoder said the team’s singles players are all pretty skilled and should be able to hold their own in league matches. Junior Aaron Francis and senior Andrew Panger will likely switch off at the Nos. 1 and 2 singles positions.
“Aaron can do everything,” Yoder said. “He’s an all-court player with a good serve, a good ground game, and he can come into the net and put volleys away because he’s got soft hands. Andrew is more of a counter puncher. He likes to stay back and play long points. He’s got a nice ground game and will come into the net if he has to. I like our chances at 1 and 2 singles.”
Senior Nick Trillo and sophomore Chris Godbout play No. 3 and 4 singles, respectively. Trillo plays an aggressive game that is centered on a strong serve and forehand to go along with a reliable backhand.
Godbout also plays a counter-punching style, but is learning to come into the net on a more consistent basis. Although the singles players have some playing experience, the doubles lineup will be a work in progress.
In order, the doubles teams consist of Christian Granados and Rafael Alfaro; Sean McConnell and Andrew Regalado; and Anthony Brigantino and Aaron Baer.
“Our doubles players are learning on the job,” Yoder said. “They don’t understand everything about positioning and execution, but they’ve got good attitudes and in time I feel they’ll get where they need to be. You cannot beat experience, and the guys were too young last year.”
Mental toughness plays a huge role in tennis, and it will be no different with the Balers. Yoder said the key to reaching the team’s potential lies in the players’ ability to concentrate on every point.
“They’re putting out a good effort, so now it’s about being able to focus at all times,” Yoder said. “If we can do that, we’ll be OK.”