Today Acalanes kicked off DAL league play, and we jumped right into the deep end taking on the Cougars at Campolindo.  We were fully staffed, prepared, pumped and ready to play.  The question of just how good 2024 league champion Campo is this year was answered.  In this match today, they were the better team.  We offer no excuses, but know we have some holes to plug before we play them again at home.

All six of the singles matches were first to take the court.  #5 Foster finished first and simply had a bad day at the office – it happens.  We’ll leave it at that.  Second off was #4 Sze You Chen who ran into a crafty and unpredictable Alford who was outlasting Yoyo in the points and mixing slicing and dicing with deep corner shots with pace.  I think Yoyo is quickly understanding what he has to work on to flip these matches around.  #2 Owens finished next.  He took on an extremely talented freshman Shpolanski and needed his A game to get the win.  There were a lot of good points and Nick was fighting; however, the win went to Shpolanski 6-2, 6-2.  The Dons were down 3-0.

As the doubles teams were taking the court, the three remaining singles matches were finishing.  #1 Sze Ting Chen came off next with a hard-fought straight-set victory over senior Koopah.  Though it felt like Sze Ting was controlling the match, the close 7-5, 6-3 score reflects a good battle.  #3 Eagens gave us a scare losing the first set 6-4 and falling behind 3-0 in the second set.  But Peyton never gives up and fights until the last point, and that is exactly what he did.  He ran off six straight games over senior Pastore and then closed the match out 10-3 in the deciding super tiebreaker.  He deserved this win and I was so happy to see him get it.  The last singles match to finish was #6 Shah.  Saaj, who rolled his ankle in Fresno, was already back to 100% and proved it in this marathon match.  Saaj won the first 7-5, lost the second 4-6, and then outlasted Mooradian in a 12-10 thriller.  The team was lined up along the fence to help Saaj cross the finish line.  The overall score was now tied at 3-3.

Those who have been following these articles know how successful doubles combo Dylan Rocca and Blake Marshall have been.  They have played in eight matches as a team and they are a perfect 8-0.  Today, make it 9 in a row.  #2 Rocca/Marshall was the first doubles match to finish and they won in straight sets.  They are playing well and have been a rock for the team.  At this point, Acalanes was filled with hope and just needed one more win.  However, that last win never came.  The remaining four boys gave it their all, but we simply couldn’t close out the tiebreakers.  #3 Goldwyn/Shin lost the first set 6-2, pushed Lindsey-Renton/Kirchner to a second set tiebreaker, but came up just short 7-3.  This was truly a battle of attrition and I was proud that the boys pushed hard in the second set. 

Tied at 4-4, the entire crowd and both teams were focused on the #1 doubles match.  Both sides were cheering loudly for their teammates.  This was a closely contested match from start to finish.  #1 Kaya/Bora Hoeberechts lost the first set in a tiebreaker but came back to win the second 6-4.  The super tiebreaker went neck and neck but the brothers just couldn’t get a lead.  Okulicz/Ramani hit some clutch shots and stayed steady winning the breaker 10-7: Campo 5, Acalanes 4.

These are the hardest articles to write because putting a positive spin on a loss like this is difficult.  We congratulate Campo on winning.  At the same time, we learn from the loss and we dedicate time at the practices to strengthen the areas that contributed to the loss.  I guarantee this, the boys will be ready for the rematch.  What I like about this team is their work ethic and determination.

Right back to work as Thursday we take on Miramonte at home.  FYI – Miramonte took out Northgate 9-0 today.  Thanks to our families who came out to support us today.  We hope to see you Thursday – weather permitting.  Dress warmly!  Go Dons!  Coach Rick

Results – Campolindo defeated Acalanes 5-4

Singles

#1 Sze Ting Chen (A) defeated Kiumars Koopah (C) 7-5, 6-3

Daniel Shpolanski (C) defeated #1 Nick Owens (A) 6-2, 6-2

#3 Peyton Eagens (A) defeated Rex Pastore (C) 4-6, 6-3, 10-3

Edgar Alford (C) defeated Sze You Chen (A) 6-1, 6-2

Brady Adams (C) defeated #5 Sammy Foster (A) 6-1, 6-0

#6 Saaj Shah (A) defeated Jack Mooradian (C) 7-5, 4-6, 12-10

 

Doubles

Nate Okulicz/Lex Ramani (C) defeated #1 Kaya and Bora Hoeberechts (A) 7-6 (3), 4-6, 10-7

#2 Dylan Rocca/Blake Marshall (A) defeated Peter Nakhle/Cade Williamson (C) 6-3, 6-3

#Finn Lindsey-Renton/Drew Kirchner (C) defeated #3 Danny Goldwyn/Kyle Shin (A) 6-2, 7-6 (3)