Playing through 95-degree heat on their home courts, the JV Dons tennis team brought the fire against Bishop O’Dowd High School, battling through long rallies, clutch deuce points, and intense doubles action to earn an exciting 9–3 team victory. The Dons stayed composed under pressure, showed great depth across the lineup, and finished the day with strong serves, steady groundstrokes, and fearless net play.
In singles, Ela Gozoren set the tone for the Dons with an 8–6 win at Line 1. Ela stayed focused through tight games and showed great consistency from the baseline, using smart shot placement and steady footwork to close out a hard-fought match.
At Line 2, Kennedy Wilson delivered one of the grittiest performances of the day, winning 8–7 in a match filled with long rallies, multiple deuces, and two big aces. Kennedy kept her composure in the key moments, fought through every point, and came up clutch when it mattered most.
Juliette Petkovic was sharp at Line 3, earning an 8–6 win with strong rallies and steady control. Juliette kept the ball deep, stayed patient in point construction, and used her consistency to wear down her opponent.
At Line 4, Katie Lager battled to an 8–5 victory, showing quick reactions, strong backhands, and great serves. Katie was light on her feet all match, tracking down tough shots and answering with confident groundstrokes of her own.
Lulu Lancour faced a tough opponent at Line 5 and dropped her match 2–8, but she competed hard and continued to swing through the ball, showing determination and a positive court presence from start to finish.
The doubles teams brought even more energy to the courts. At Line 1, Avery and Riya pulled out a thrilling 9–7 win in one of the most exciting matches of the afternoon. Avery was dominant with great overheads, while Riya battled through the intense heat and stayed mentally tough. Together, they covered the court well, attacked at the net, and finished strong.
At Line 2, Quinn and Hanna rolled to an8–2 win behind strong serves, sharp backhands, and excellent rally tolerance. Quinn had several long rallies, including an epic final point that lasted at least 10 shots, while Hanna stayed steady and helped keep the pressure on with consistent returns and smart doubles positioning.
Sara and Elle fought hard at Line 3 in a close 5–8 loss. They pushed their opponents with solid rallies and good movement, continuing to compete deep into the match and showing strong teamwork throughout.
At Line 4, Morgan and Perrin played an exciting match and came away with an 8–4 win. Perrin’s serves were on fire, and her net game was especially strong, while Morgan brought a powerful forehand and some great returns. Together, they controlled the tempo and kept Bishop O’Dowd on defense.
Rory and Halong were impressive at Line 5, winning 8–2 with aggressive doubles play. Rory was strong at the net, putting away key volleys, while Halong brought great serves and helped create plenty of short-ball opportunities. Their net action and court coverage made them a tough team to beat.
At Line 6, Olivia and Sage stayed steady and confident, earning an 8–6 win in a competitive match. They showed patience in rallies, communicated well, and came through in the important games with composed doubles play.
Aly and Ella battled in an intense Line 7 doubles match against a tough Bishop O’Dowd pair, including a player from their top doubles lineup. Although they fell 1–8, Aly and Ella competed with energy, stayed aggressive, and gained valuable experience against high-level competition.
In brutal heat, the JV Dons showed toughness, teamwork, and competitive spirit across the lineup. From clutch singles wins to exciting doubles battles, Acalanes came out strong and protected their home courts with a huge 9–3 victory.
Go Dons!
