In 2012, the San Benito girls tennis team advanced to the Central Coast Section playoffs for the second time in 11 years under coach Ed Cecena.
In high school tennis, depth matters, and that’s what the Haybalers had a year ago. However, San Benito graduated its No. 2, 3 and 4 singles players, leaving a void that Cecena hopes can be filled with hard work and determination.
“Sometimes the difference between a win and a loss comes down to simply competing,” said Cecena, whose team opened its season Monday with a 7-0 win over Pajaro Valley. “I think our girls can get to that level where mentally they’re fighting really hard for every point. It’s going to take that type of effort for us to reach our goals.”
Cecena holds a voluntary practice on Saturday, which gives his players a chance to improve their skills and further hone the mental aspects of the game. After all, it takes some serious mental toughness for a player to show up for a Saturday practice.
In terms of goals, San Benito’s top priority is to stay in the upper-tier Gabilan Division, developing players in the process. The Balers return only one singles player — senior Kelsey Slavich — but she’ll be manning the top spot.
Relying more on guts and guile than raw talent, Slavich rarely beats herself. She places the ball well, utilizes a lot of underspin and often lets her opponents commit the errors.
Players who will be vying for permanent spots in the singles lineup include Gwendolynn Fernstrom, Rachel Brigantiono, Cathy Frusetta and Makayla Irving, who couldn’t play last season due to injury. On Monday, Irving rolled to a straight-set win at No. 4 singles.
Cecena is hopeful that all of his players continue to develop their physical and mental skills — especially the latter — because it’s the mental side that often helps a player get through a three-set match.
Rachel Logue, Jessica White, Katarina Ortiz, Leeann Gutierrez and Julia Duggs are some of the top players who will fill out the doubles lineup.
“Rachel and Makayla are two athletic girls who compete very well,” Cecena said. “That’s what you want from your athletes at this level.”
San Benito 7, Pajaro Valley 0
SINGLES — Slavich def. Guillen 7-5, 6-7, 11-9 (super tiebreaker as third set); Frusetta def. Rodriguez 6-4, 6-1; Fernstrom def. Kianyvela 6-2, 4-6, 10-7; Irving def. Ocampo 6-1, 6-0. DOUBLES WINNERS — Logue-Ortiz 3-6, 6-4; 10-6; White-Brigantiono 6-3, 6-4; Leeann Gutierrez Julia Duggs 6-2, 6-2.
