It was a tough night for the Dons, but there were a lot of positives as I witnessed our team fight hard even after we were mathematically defeated.  We beat Branson earlier in the season in a six singles/three doubles format, but they returned with added talent, and playing a four singles/three doubles format in post season changes the dynamics of the match significantly.  We were again missing #3 Eagens, which I also believe had an impact on the overall outcome.  It was nice to see some of the other players come out and support their teammates as well as many of our family members.

First off were the Hoeberechts brothers who ran headfirst into an oncoming train.  Frasier/Ogborne played impeccable tennis from beginning to end and never let our boys into the match.  Ogborne, who played #3 singles in our first contest, played #2 doubles this time and was solid.  #3 Shah finished next falling 6-2, 6-4 to Jayaram.  Saaj played a good match and was in most of the games but had trouble closing them out.   #1 Sze Ting Chen finished next with a decisive win over Higgins giving up only three games in the match.  Sze Ting has been a dependable win for us and never let Tommie get comfortable.  At this point it was Branson 3, Acalanes 1.

Though we had to win the rest of the matches, there was some hope it could be done.  #2 Owens split sets, #1 doubles Foster/Sze You Chen were close in the second set, and #3 doubles Rocca/Marshall split sets.  When #1 dubs went down 6-4, 6-4 to Higgins/Stovell, the overall match was now out of reach.  Sammy and Yoyo had a good battle and were neck-and-neck with Finn and James the whole way.  Both were swinging out nicely.  Finn Higgins was placed in #1 doubles but is actually one of Branson’s better singles players.

We were now down 1-4, but #3 dubs Rocca/Marshall never gave up the fight.  Because they split sets before the overall match was decided, they started playing a full third set.  Though they lost the first set 6-2, they took the second 7-5.  It looked like they were going to pull this off.  Unfortunately, late in the third set Keenly/Marco were able to sneak out a 7-5 third set win.  This was a close contest and the points fun to watch.  #2 Owens also split sets, but after the overall match was decided so we opted to just play a third-set super tiebreaker.  Owens played amazing tennis.  He was battling some shoulder discomfort, but his ground game was rock solid.  He stayed in the points for long rallies and hit many winners.  Nick deserved the win but hats off to Hoeveler who made this as difficult as he could.  In the end, he edged Nick 13-11 in the final set tiebreaker.  Branson 6, Acalanes 1.

And as quickly as it started, the season came to an abrupt end.  I’m proud of our nine boys who competed today.  They gave it their all as they’ve done all season.  The entire team has been a pleasure to coach.  I’ll say it again this season, though I didn’t play a single point, I’m exhausted and ready for my break.  There is a good chance that Acalanes will host the finals on Saturday afternoon from noon-4pm.  The D2 semis will be #1 Head Royce hosting #5 Branson and #2 Bishop O’Dowd hosting #3 Lick-Wilmerding.  Acalanes would act as a “neutral” site for the finals. On the D1 side, #8 Miramonte lost to #1 California. All top four seeds advanced to the semis.

I think I have been able to properly thank everyone involved with the boys’ varsity program over the past few weeks.  In closing, my last comments are focused on three seniors.  And, yes, I value all six of them (Danny Goldwyn, Carsten Ristow and Dylan Rocca included), however, Sammy Foster, Kaya Hoeberechts and Nick Owens have been with me all four years on the varsity ride – and what a ride it was.  They were there when I didn’t know anyone’s name and COVID was becoming a thing of the past.  We won the league together in 2023, and we fought four years of battles together.  We traveled all over the Bay Area and beat a lot of teams.  Know you will be missed, and you had better stay in touch.  To all six of you seniors – stick with tennis, good luck with college and thanks for the memories.  Signing out for 2025.

Go Dons!  Coach Rick

#5 Branson defeated #4 Acalanes 6-1

Singles

#1 Sze Ting Chen (A) defeated Tommie Higgins (B) 6-1, 6-2

Chase Hoeveler (B) defeated #2 Nick Owens (A) 6-4, 5-7, 13-11

Ishwar Jayaram (B) defeated #3 Saaj Shah (A) 6-2, 6-4

Griffin Cooper (B) won line 4 singles – default

Doubles

Finn Higgins/James Stovell (B) defeated #1 Sammy Foster/Sze You Chen (A) 6-4, 6-4

Leighton Frasier/Mason Ogborne (B) defeated #2 Kaya Hoeberechts/Bora Hoeberechts (A) 6-0, 6-1

Cal Keenly/Gian Carlo A Marco (B) defeated #3 Dylan Rocca/Blake Marshall (A) 6-2, 5-7, 7-5