The buffet table was laid out Tuesday for a girls tennis
homecoming where six seniors were playing their last regular season
home match.
The buffet table was laid out Tuesday for a girls tennis homecoming where six seniors were playing their last regular season home match. Chili, Halloween cookies, brownies, chips and dip. Yum. Yum.
“That’s nothing,” said Baler No. 1 singles Phoebe Bachofer. “Wait ’til the TCAL tournament next week. There’s going to be so much food here. We’re going to feed all six teams.”
Bachofer and her Baler girls ate well on and off the court, devouring Salinas 5-2 at the Ridgemark Tennis Center to pull even in the standings with the Cowboys at 8-6. The Balers (9-8 overall), though, are at first place Notre Dame on Friday, while the Cowboys should take care of North Salinas today as the regular season comes to a close. The Tri-County Athletic League tournament is at Ridgemark on Nov. 7-8.
Baler coach Ed Cecena had a treat for his team, promising Halloween practice off with a win over the Cowboys.
“They need a break. I need a break,” said Cecena, who has had a severe cold the past few weeks.
Cecena talked about seniors Bachofer, Nicole Conley, Allison Filice, Elena Briber, Crista Hill and Danielle Patino.
“All of them have shown senior leadership,” said Cecena. “Briber’s been a rock, real steady. Nicole has been real good for the younger players. It’s been an enjoyable season and I’ll miss all of them.”
“It’s sad that this was my last home match,” said Briber, though she’ll be playing singles at TCAL’s. “It’s been a fun four years.”
Bachofer topped Caitlin Antle 6-2, 6-1.
“I was happy to get three games off her,” said Antle. “Last time it was 6-0, 6-0.”
“She was fun to play,” said Bachofer of Antle. “We had some rallies. She’s a good player.”
Briber defeated Jenny Chang 6-4, 6-2 at No. 2 singles, while Patino won a three-set match at No. three singles – 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.
One of the future stars for the Balers is sophomore Vanessa Martinez. Martinez dropped a three-set match 7-5, 1-6, 2-6.
“I was on at the beginning,” said Martinez. “I just didn’t get my shots over the net. I was wearing sunglasses for awhile, then I had to take them off when it got dark.”
Conley and Filice rallied for a 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory, running off three straight games to end the third set in No. 1 doubles. Becky Bonner and Mary Beth Miller had an easier time of it at 6-2, 6-2 in No. 2 doubles. Cathry Villarico and Hill fought hard before losing 1-6, 6-7 (4-7) as the match finally came to a close.
And if the players had to stay late into the chilly night, not to worry. There was plenty of food for everyone.
