This is the last week of the season. Everyone who has been following knows, the NCS Team Championships is our final event – and it is a win or go home situation. Today, the Dons Squad held up its #4 seeding by defeating the #13 Cougars 6-1. Albany hosted because it won the TCAL league which consists of teams like El Cerrito, Salesian, Richmond and Pinole Valley. League champions hosting only applies in the first round. In all subsequent rounds, the higher tournament seed hosts. Therefore, when we play #5 Branson this Thursday, Acalanes will host at 5:00PM. If you look across the NCS tournament, there was only one upset in the first round – #10 Arcata defeated #7 Marin Catholic 4-3.
Our Acalanes boys looked strong in comparison to Albany and none of the players dropped a set. We were missing our #3 player, Eagens, which is why we had to default the #3 spot, but his teammates covered for him as he was the next to fall victim to the endless illnesses that have been plaguing the school all season. The parents who attended outnumbered the players who made the trip to Albany – which was mostly the players in the lineup. It’s understandable as several of our students have tests to take this week. We’re happy Carsten Ristow came to root on the team and put Bora’s tennis shoe up in a tree. We also appreciated the Chens providing pizza and the Marshalls providing drinks. And there was even an athletic director sighting as Mr. Takahashi made the trek to Albany to support the team. The weather was perfect for tennis.
As usual, the scores of the line matches are below. Because it was pretty lopsided, it didn’t make sense to talk it up with a lot of words. Instead, a little coach commentary before closing. A first for me this year was the opportunity to coach two sets of brothers on the same team. I have coached Kaya for four years and now his freshman brother, Bora. And, of course, junior Sze Ting and freshman Sze You – also known as Yoyo, who enjoyed their first season as Dons. These are four talented players who were in the team’s top 12 all season. Thanks for a great season guys.
In closing, though Coach Peter wasn’t with us in Albany, he was there in spirit and quizzing me after about the results. Because he left the team banquet as we finished presentations, I didn’t get a chance to properly thank him for his contributions all season. He has been a tremendous help with the boys as he knows tennis, enjoys coaching and bonded with the players. As his wife and former team parent Dawn would attest, sometimes I feel like I have a coaching partner and sometimes I feel like I have a 19th teenager on the team. All kidding aside, thanks so much Coach Peter. It’s been a fun ride. And again, thanks to all the parents who fought the traffic and made it out to Albany. I’m glad we made it worth the trip with a W. Go Dons! Coach Rick
#4 Acalanes defeated #13 Albany High 6-1
Singles
#1 Sze Ting Chen (Aca) defeated Oliver Crowley (Alb) 6-1, 6-1
#2 Nick Owens (Aca) defeated Matt Mozzotta (Alb) 6-2, 6-2
#3 defaulted line
#4 Saaj Shah (Aca) defeated Devon Sampietro (Alb) 6-0, 6-1
Doubles
#1 Sammy Foster/Sze You Chen (Aca) defeated Noah Kim/Shinghan Liu (Alb) 6-3, 6-4
#2 Kaya Hoeberechts/Bora Hoeberechts (Aca) defeated Nathan Tritrexileno/Wonbin Chow (Alb) 6-3, 6-3
#3 Dylan Rocca/Blake Marshall (Aca) defeated Arjun Vermo/Sam Rothstein (Alb) 6-1, 6-3
