Today was an exercise in how you get stuck with lemons and make lemonade.  The day started with a scheduled away practice match against Benicia High on a day with no rain in the forecast.  Everything looked great until we reached the Benicia Bridge.  It started to rain and then it was a downpour.  Instead of turning the cars around, we continued through the rain to Benicia High.  When we arrived, strangely enough the courts were dry, but then it rained enough to dampen them.  Because Benicia has no court lights, we were limited for time.  Though the sky was overcast, the rain stopped.  Both coaches came to agreement to change the practice match to a scrimmage.  We then changed the three-set match format to an 8-game pro set.  This would allow us to play the match and finish it as the courts finally dried.  If it rained again, we would stop play and call off the match.  Fortunately, the rain held up and we won 7-2.

The difference between a “practice” and “scrimmage” match is simple.  Practice matches count against the team’s overall win-loss record.  Scrimmages do not.  Scrimmages aren’t recorded anywhere (except for booster articles).

The top five Benicia singles players put up a good fight and we edged them 3-2.  They really made us work for it.  The remaining matches we swept 4-0.  Owens, Eagens and Brewer pulled out tough wins over formidable opponents.  The quality of tennis was very good.  #6 Ledezma and all three doubles teams Patterson/Marshall, Tantameng/Rocca and Lofting/Fisher won fairly quickly and clearly outclassed their rivals.

On Thursday, weather permitting, we take on Bishop O’Dowd at home.  That match will start at 3:30. Thank you to the family members who braved the cold and supported us today.