The interest in being on the boys’ tennis team each year never ceases to amaze me. Forty-nine boys tried out and when the coaches were through assessing the talent, varsity selected 17 and JV kept 20 student-athletes ready to represent Acalanes. Last year, six of our seniors graduated leaving a gaping hole in the varsity lineup. This year, we have seven seniors. So, while we focus on having a good year, we also have a need to develop talent for the years to come. The answer to that dilemma presented itself during tryouts. Five freshmen, with solid tennis credentials, wandered into tryouts and have plugged the gaps in our lineup: Sammy Taylor, Cameron Fisher, Rhett Brewer, James Ammerman and Alex King. The future looks bright!
We kicked off the season with a practice match against the Piedmont Highlanders and though 9-0 looks dominating, we had several lines that were very close matches. As requested by Piedmont, we started the match with #1-3 singles and #1-3 doubles as the first flight. #1 Sze Ting Chen had an absolute dogfight with Lucas Smolko but got revenge for last year with a straight set victory. This match not only had some incredible tennis, but some unfortunate drama and stress. Sze Ting showed great poise and composure and deserved to win this match. #2 Shah started slowly and fell behind 2-5 in the first set; however, he found his stride, came back to win the first set in a tiebreaker and cruised to a 6-2 win in the second set. #3 Sze You Chen was too much for Moskovitz and only gave up 4 games.
All three doubles matches were close contests. #1 Marshall/Shin lost the first set 4-6 but pounced in the second 6-2 and comfortably won the deciding third set tiebreaker 10-4. This was the first time they played together and it didn’t take long for them to start gelling as a team. #2 Brewer/Ammerman, both freshmen, showed no signs of first-match nervousness and won in straight set. #3 Roberts/Gorham fell behind 2-5 in the first set but fought to win it 7-5. They also went on to win their line in straight sets. At this point, the team was up 6-0 and the overall match was decided.
#4 Hoeberechts found himself matched against the feared pusher. Misra had a unique game that was consistent and pace less and it got him the first set 6-1. Bora needed that set to figure out how to counter it. That he did. Though close, Bora came back to win a close second set and deciding tiebreaker. #6 Fisher made quick work of Fasteau, and the strong smell of bagel was in the air. The team gathered on court #2 to watch the last match – #5 Sammy Taylor vs. Assalian. Both were evenly matched resulting in long points and a very close score. With fifteen teammates, three coaches, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree watching, Taylor came up with a gutsy 7-6, 7-5 victory giving the team a sweep of all nine lines. We passed our first test.
This was the nicest tennis weather day we’ve had so far. It was encouraging to see our family and friend supporters across the complex again and to meet some of the parents of our new players. Thanks so much for coming out to support the team. Next week, we play Emerald on Tuesday away and then we leave for Fresno Thursday to compete in the California Classic Tennis Tournament. Here’s to a great start to the season. Go Dons! Coach Rick
Results: Acalanes defeated Piedmont 9-0
Singles
#1 Sze Ting Chen (A) defeated Lucas Smolko (P) 6-3, 7-5
#2 Saaj Shah (A) defeated Nate Welch (P) 7-6 (3), 6-2
#3 Sze You Chen (A) defeated Ari Moskovitz (P) 6-1, 6-3
#4 Bora Hoeberechts (A) defeated Emilio Misra (P) 1-6, 7-5, 10-8
#5 Sammy Taylor (A) defeated Joey Assalian (P) 7-6 (4), 7-5
#6 Cameron Fisher (A) defeated Hunter Fasteau (P) 6-0, 6-3
Doubles
#1 Blake Marshall/Kyle Shin (A) defeated Ben Davis/Maximo Miller (P) 4-6, 6-2, 10-4
#2 Rhett Brewer/James Ammerman (A) defeated August Collins/Henry Van Den Bos (P) 6-2, 7-5
#3 Nolan Roberts/Chris Gorham (A) defeated Carter Brookfield/Adam Quibelan (P) 7-5, 7-5
