San Benito returned to the court Tuesday and defeated visiting
Watsonville, 5-2
HOLLISTER
One year removed from a season in which the San Benito girls tennis team rifled off 15 straight wins, which helped them earn a share of the Tri-County Athletic League title, the Lady ‘Balers opened their 2008 campaign Tuesday in a similar victorious fashion.
Sparked by their depth at doubles, which swept by a visiting Watsonville team at the Ridgemark Golf and Country Club, San Benito earned their first win of the season Tuesday, 5-2.
“We looked pretty good,” coach Ed Cecena said. “Again, we’ll be deep in the doubles … I think we’ll win our share of matches again this year. We should be in there with Salinas and Notre Dame this year.”
All three San Benito doubles teams cruised by Watsonville in straight sets.
The top team of Crystal Perreira and Marisa Ibarra defeated Julia Gagne and Jessica Cortez 6-3, 6-2, while the No. 2 pairing of Vanessa Casalegno and Chelsea Yoakum won their match against Christina Fernandez and Brenda Rodriguez 6-2, 6-0. San Benito’s Rachel Smith and Kristina Slavic also won their match 6-0, 6-2 against Andrea Rodriguez and Karina Vega.
In singles, Watsonville’s Lucy Bagor beat No. 1 player Amanda Marshall 6-2, 7-5, while Karina Luquin upended San Benito’s Abby Woods 1-6, 6-3, 10-5.
San Benito freshman Hayley Barker earned her first victory at the high school level as she beat Mariela Llamas 2-6, 6-3, 10-6, and teammate Bri Ahumada-Wolfsmith won her match in straight sets, defeating Watsonville’s Lizet Martinez 6-4, 6-4.
San Benito (1-0) is scheduled to play Sobrato Thursday at the Ridgemark Golf and Country Club at 3:30 p.m.
