The Don’s win today completed a three-match sweep this week and got our season off to a great start.   Head Royce is a solid division 2 contender, and we knew this match would not only be tough but would also be a good indicator of just how strong our team is this year.  Though we would typically play a fellow division 2 team in the 4 singles/3 doubles format, their coach agreed to a 6/3 format.  I believe this is a good thing because it gives more players a chance to be part of the overall score.  The downside is when we play division 2 teams, they are typically smaller squads creating little opportunity for our lower ranked varsity players to get an “xo” match (slang for “exhibition”).  That will change when we play the division 1 teams in our league.

Today, we started the match with all six singles lines taking the court.  First off was #6 Shah who again gave up zero games, winning two days in a row 6-0, 6-0.  Shah’s opponent was simply overmatched, and Saaj got the team off on the right foot.  #2 Owens was off second as he quickly dispatched Ting in straight sets.  Owens played well and never let Ting into the match.  #5 Foster put us up 3-0 with a quick and decisive win over Guo giving up only one game.  The overall score took a little turn as #3 Eagens went down to Stowell.  Peyton put in a great effort and there were several long points with a tight first set.  Credit, however, goes to Stowell who played a very good match and ran off with the second set.

We were now up 3-1.  The Chen brothers, #1 Sze Ting and #4 Sze You, were both involved in very close battles that went into third set tiebreakers at almost the same time.  Sze You pulled out his decider 10-6.  Sze Ting fought hard, but Head Royce’s Donovan pulled it out 13-11 in a real thriller.  The Dons were now up 4-2 and needed to win just one of the three doubles matches to clinch the team’s win.

Next off were the Hoeberechts brothers who played an incredibly competitive and close match, but fell 7-6, 6-4.  #3 Goldwyn/Ristow then won their match in straight sets sealing the victory for Acalanes.  But who doesn’t like a little gravy on their stuffing, which was provided by #2 Rocca/Marshall who pulled out a very close 6-4, 7-6 victory over stubborn seniors Rangon/Chen.  In the end, Dons 6, Jayhawks 3.

This is my fourth season as the Acalanes coach and there have been some amazing teams during my tenure.  This one also has a special feel to it.  The team has a good mix of all four grades, and they have bonded so quickly and tend to travel as a pack.  They support each other and know and accept their roles.  I took a team picture after the win, and you will see that all 18 boys were still around to celebrate the win though it was close to 7PM.  Coach Peter and I couldn’t be prouder, and we are looking forward to getting into our league matches in March. 

Again, we had a huge parent turnout supporting us and endlessly feeding the boys (and one of the coaches ).  Thank you so much!  Monday’s match against Branson will be our biggest pre-season test.  I believe the boys will be ready.   Go Dons!  Coach Rick

Results – Acalanes defeated Head Royce 6-3

Singles

Dylan Donovan (HR) defeated #1 Sze Ting Chen (A) 3-6, 6-4, 13-11

#2 Nick Owens (A) defeated Greydon Ting (HR) 6-3, 6-2

Jackson Stowell (HR) defeated #3 Peyton Eagens (A) 6-4, 6-0

#4 Sze You Chen (A) defeated Nicholas Byrd (HR) 6-2, 4-6, 10-6

#5 Sammy Foster (A) defeated Eric Guo (HR) 6-1, 6-0

#6 Saaj Shah (A) defeated Joshua Van Der Wert (HR) 6-0, 6-0

 

Doubles

Ameen Berjis/Parker Ingalls (HR) defeated #1 Bora & Kaya Hoeberechts (A) 7-6 (5), 6-4

#2 Dylan Rocca/Blake Marshall (A) defeated Keshav Rangon/Kaleo Chen (HR) 6-4, 7-6 (6)

#3 Danny Goldwyn/Carsten Ristow (A) defeated Michael Cave/Xavi Morales (HR) 6-3, 6-3