The rain finally stopped long enough for the Dons to travel to San Francisco to take on Lick-Wilmerding in our first practice match. Acalanes accommodated their host’s match format which is 4 singles and 3 doubles. It was an extremely close match and Acalanes was up 3-2 in the latter stages. It came down to two of our singles lines. Both players put up great fights, however, both lost in deciding 10-point tiebreakers. The team couldn’t hide a little rust as we have been idle for the past six days due to rain. This match was a good wakeup call and has really motivated the team to take it up to the next level.
Some of the highlights included two dominating performances: the first by #1 Tyler Toni and other by #2 doubles team Sammy Foster and Will Lofting. All three played extremely well and the matches were over quickly. #3 doubles team Liam Fitzpatrick and Ben Reinsberg also played well and outlasted their opponents in a deciding tiebreaker 11-9. Fitzpatrick is a senior and this was his first varsity win.
Twelve of the twenty varsity players will travel tomorrow to Fresno to represent Acalanes and compete in the California Tennis Classic tournament. Four matches against rival Division 1 teams from across the state will take place over a two-day span. In round one, the Dons take on Clovis East High School. Round two will be against powerhouse Head-Royce. We’ll do our best to make Acalanes proud.
Thank you to the parents who safely transported the players to SF City College for the match. It was a very long ride home. We also appreciate the parents who drove out to support the team in the chilly weather.
I will post day one results from Fresno on Friday evening. Coach Rick.
Singles#1
Tyler Toni (A) defeated Enzo Gratz (LW) 6-1, 6-2
Saahil Mishra (LW) defeated #2 Nick Owens (A) 4-6, 7-5, 13-11
Este Lin (LW) defeated #3 Tucker Brewer (A) 6-2, 6-2
Andrew Chourbelden (LW) defeated #3 Zach Snyder (A) 7-5, 0-6, 10-4
Doubles
Joel Collier/Andrew Eidelhoch (LW) defeated #1 Aaron Brown/James Cortez (A) 6-4, 6-4
#2 Sammy Foster/Will Lofting (A) defeated Sam Birtwistle/Connor Wie (LW) 6-1, 6-0
#3 Liam Fitzpatrick/Ben Reinsberg (A) defeated Isaac Anwar/Noah Pak (LW) 1-6, 6-3, 11-9