Baler tennis team still undefeated
The San Benito High girls’ tennis team is unbeatable
– at least that’s been the case so far this season.
On Tuesday at Ridgemark the surging Balers picked up a 7-0
shutout win over the Eagles of Alvarez to move to 8-0 on the season
and 4-0 in league play.
Baler tennis team still undefeated
The San Benito High girls’ tennis team is unbeatable – at least that’s been the case so far this season.
On Tuesday at Ridgemark the surging Balers picked up a 7-0 shutout win over the Eagles of Alvarez to move to 8-0 on the season and 4-0 in league play.
“The big thing this year has been our depth,” San Benito High coach Ed Cecena said. “At the start of the year, I didn’t think we had much but we’re getting good play from our doubles teams – so much in fact that our doubles play this year has become a strength.”
That shouldn’t be surprising since most of the doubles team players are strong, athletic and were members of the Balers’ Central Coast Section Championship softball team, meaning that they are accustomed to winning and know how to close the deal as a result of their tenacity on the court.
Another key factor behind the team’s success is experience, as the Balers didn’t lose a single player from its 10-player roster from a year ago. And next year they’ll only lose three to graduation.
“We should be in good shape next year too,” Cecena said.
On Tuesday, the Baler remained the team to beat in the race to the Tri County Athletic League title after disposing of Alvarez in rapid succession.
Amanda Marshall, the team’s No. 1 singles player, got things going with a smooth, 6-0, 6-1 victory. Her win was followed by another 6-0, 6-1 shellacking by No. 2 singles player Yumi Chang over her opponent. So far this season Chang has yet to lose a single match.
Chang’s win was followed by a straight set win for senior Kaitlyn O’Keefe, the team’s No. 3 singles player.
“That was one of the tougher matches, but she pulled through for us,” Cecena said.
Junior Abby Woods followed suit with a three set win over her opponent despite losing the opening set.
The win allowed the Balers to jump out to a 4-0 lead before the doubles teams closed out its matches too to seal Alvarez’ fate.
The doubles team winners were: Rachel Maheu and Elena Fata, the No. 1 team; Crystal Perriera, the No. 2 squad; and Rachel Smith and Bri Ahumanda, the Balers No. 3 doubles team.
Now that the Balers are undefeated, the expectations have soared as well for the team that finished in fourth place in league just a year ago.
“We want to win league and make CCS as a team,” Cecena said. “Hopefully, we can get there and upset some teams, but the tennis in the San Jose area is pretty strong. Some of those Catholic schools that are there have the top junior players in the area on their rosters.”
