The San Benito Lady ‘Balers finished up the Tri-County Athletic
League Tournament in Salinas on Tuesday, but didn’t take home any
championship hardware.
The San Benito Lady ‘Balers finished up the Tri-County Athletic League Tournament in Salinas on Tuesday, but didn’t take home any championship hardware.
After rain had postponed Monday’s afternoon matches, the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals were all played at Everett Alvarez High School Tuesday.
In doubles, No. 1-seed and San Benito pairing Rachel Maheu and Elena Fata went all the way to the finals on Tuesday.
In the quarters, Maheu and Fata defeated Sara Tlymale and Shannon MacIsaac of Notre Dame 6-2, 2-6 (10-7) to advance to the semifinals.
There, the San Benito duo beat Audra Bell and Shelby Weber of Salinas 4-6, 6-2 (10-2), setting up a championship final against a pair of singles players from Salinas.
Up against Christina Taylor and Gabby Overholt, who were Salinas’ No. 3 and No. 4 singles players last week, Fata and Maheu lost 6-3, 7-5 in the final.
But Maheu and Fata were all-league selections for qualifying for the finals.
“That’s a nice achievement for two softball players,” coach Ed Cecena said.
In singles, No. 2-seed Amanda Marshall was upset in the quarterfinals by Lauren Sanchez of North Salinas. Sanchez defeated the Lady ‘Baler 7-5, 4-6 (10-7).
“Lauren Sanchez played the match of her life,” Cecena said. “She was up against the stronger player and sometimes you have to raise your level of play so much that you have the match of your life. You’ve got to give credit to Lauren Sanchez.”
While the TCAL Tournament may be complete, the Lady ‘Balers will now await the Central Coast Section 2007 Girls Tennis Championships, slated to begin on Nov. 6.
After taking first in the TCAL, San Benito will compete as a team at the CCS tourney.
