In a crowded 16-team tournament at Freedom High School this past Saturday, the Acalanes Girls JV Tennis program put on a commanding performance, with their two squads claiming both the championship and third place.

The Teams:

Acalanes Blue: Averly Ammerman, Kennedy Wilson, Lotta Griemens, Gemma Satterfield, Ava Bell, Parker Ivory, Quinn Curley, Rory Jackson

Acalanes White: Alessa Smith, Avery Marshall, Daisy Carysforth, Riya Patel, Livvy Lewis, Brooke Lewis, Lulu Lancour, Sarah Tsang, Carissa Penn

The team started the day with 17 players available, but by day’s end, three had departed due to previous commitments, leaving Acalanes Blue short-handed heading into the later rounds.

Rain Delay

Just as matches were set to begin at 9 a.m., drizzle turned into a brief but heavy downpour, creating puddles on the courts. Shout out to Mr. Satterfield and Mr. Griemens for helping dry off the courts—thanks, Dads! After a three-hour delay, play finally began just before noon.

Tournament Format

The tournament featured eight-player squad bracket play leading to semifinals and finals. Matches were played in a five-line format with two singles and three doubles, using six-game Pro Sets.

Dominant Early Rounds

Both Acalanes teams were nearly unstoppable in bracket play. Acalanes Blue faced Emerald 2, Concord, and Campo Blue, surrendering only 10 games across 15 lines. Acalanes White played Granada, Liberty, and Freedom Navy, giving up just 5 games total while winning in straight sets. Combined, the two teams conceded only 15 games in their first three rounds—a remarkable display of dominance.

Semifinals and Finals

Heading into the semifinals, both teams remained confident despite their reduced numbers. Acalanes Blue faced Cal High in a hard-fought, contentious match, ultimately falling 3-2. Meanwhile, Acalanes White defeated Campo Red 3-2, advancing to face Cal High in the Championship Final.

Throughout the final, the Blue team lined the fence, cheering on their White teammates. Their support was rewarded with a gratifying 4-1 victory—the White team avenging their teammates’ semifinal loss with a well-earned Championship. The final match didn’t wrap up until 8:30 p.m., capping off a long but rewarding day.

The depth and spirit of our team was evident all day as they fought through every match. We are all very proud of and happy for these kids—and in the words of our beloved Coach Gary, “this was a special team that did special things!”

What a season—until next time, Dons!