Last year, we trekked out to South San Francisco to play the Tigers.  It was our first loss last season and the 3-3 tie was decided by a close and controversial line call on match point.  Fast forward to earlier today when this year we hosted Lick-Wilmerding.  We were without our #1 player Nick Owens, but that didn’t stop the Dons from turning the tables on the Tigers.  Today, the team really made this coach proud – so much to write about.

Though #1 Eagens, #2 Brewer and #4 Shah went down in straight sets, they were hard fought matches against solid opposition.  The score lines may not look that way, but there were a lot of long points and games that went to deuce. 

#4 Foster moved to 4-0 with a gritty come-from-behind win over Chou-Belden.  Though Foster lost the first set 5-7, he figured out his opponent and stormed back 6-2 and then won the deciding super tiebreaker 10-5.  The experience Foster is gaining from these close-fought battles is something he just can’t learn in practice.  #5 Ledezma followed almost the same script.  Though he lost the first set 6-3, he battled hard in a see saw second set where he pulled off some amazing winners to edge Lee 8-6 in the tiebreaker.  He then pulled away in the super tiebreaker 10-5.  Ledezma was serving extremely well and swinging out on both wings.  He deserved this win.

#6 Fisher and #1 doubles team Reeder/Hoeberechts dominated in their matches and cruised to straight set victories.  At this point, Acalanes was ahead 4-3 needing just one more doubles victory to clinch the overall win.  #2 Patterson/Lofting won the first set but lost the second.  #3 Marshall/Rocca lost the first set but came back to win the second.  Both matches went to a super tiebreaker at the same time.  All four players held their nerve, played gutsy tennis and pulled off the wins securing the Dons the overall match.  Their teammates lined the fences cheering loudly and helped push them over the finish line.    

And this is just Monday.  We enter league play with a 3-1 record.  The cancellation of the Fresno tournament cost us four practice matches.  Tuesday, we host College Park at 3:30.  Thursday, we host Campolindo at 3:30.  The boys have their work cut out for them.  There’s no doubt in my mind they will bring their A games.  Thanks again to our family members who came out to cheer.  Go Dons!  Coach Rick