When I put together the lineup Wednesday night for Thursday’s Las Lomas match, I took a few player requests into consideration. I also studied the Las Lomas roster and results so far this year.  We looked stronger on paper, but jiggering with the lineup created risks.  To appease the boys yet allow me to get some sleep, I put out the lineup allowing singles players to pair up in doubles. This meant I had to push some of the higher-ranked doubles players into singles.  Boy did that almost blow up in my face.  Here’s how today’s match went.

All six singles lines took to the courts first. The first sets on every court were close or we were trailing. It’s a good thing I got a refill on my heart medication, because the drama was just unfolding. #3 Fisher finished first winning in straight sets 6-3, 6-1. Cameron played well and continues to be a dependable W for the squad. Second off was #6 Roberts who came out of the gate a little slowly but took Beauchemin to a 4-6 second set eventually going down in straight sets. Nolan has been playing so much doubles that he took out the singles sticks before his match not realizing they are for singles matches. I had to put them back in. Talk about a sign that Nolan’s place is in doubles. #4 Gorham finished next. Chris came out strong jumping out to a 5-2 lead in the first set. Unfortunately, Filimonov found his game and ran off with the match 7-5, 6-0. #2 Hoeberechts then finished with a convincing 6-3, 6-2 win over senior Casamiquela. Bora played well and led from start to finish. Overall score at this point: Acalanes 2, Las Lomas 2.

The concern and anxiety of a closer-than-expected match was starting to set in. Next off was #1 Sze You Chen who ran into a tough playing Kirsch. At times, Yoyo looked brilliant and the coaches knew he could win this match. There were also times when he didn’t stay patient and work points and was going for too much too soon. Kirsch played him tough and won 6-3, 6-3. #5 Todi then went down to Chan.  It was a hard-fought battle with a lot of long points but Chan outlasted Todi 6-3, 6-4. Acalanes was now down 4-2 and had to sweep the doubles for a comeback win. 

#1 Sze Ting Chen and Rhett Brewer scored an easy and quick win only giving up two games. And then #2 Shah/Shin finished with another dominant win giving up no games. The overall match was tied 4-4 and all coaches, players and spectator’s eyes were focused on the #3 doubles match.  Winner takes all!

While I was preparing for the match today, I was quietly concerned about the lineup decision I made – so much that Coach PeterF asked if everything was okay. My brain was on overdrive and I almost made a last-minute decision to change the lineup. Though I left it as is, I had a gut feeling our #3 doubles match was going to be critical, so much that I took a picture of that team during the warmup so I would be prepared for this article if needed. Senior Billy O’Brien has been on my radar for the past four years. He attended my summer clinics, worked his way through JV to varsity and has grown from a tiny freshman to a young adult senior. Sophomore Grant Cortez was JV’s MVP last year and successfully tried out this year for varsity. I coached his older brother James and mother Kristin has been our booster’s parent for the past five years. Billy was given the nickname “Farmer Bill” (by Grant) and Grant’s nickname is the “Sea of Cortez.”  They have been practicing as a team and won together against College Park, but neither had been tested like this yet. All that being said, they had a rough start in the match and lost the first set 3-6. But then they found their games reducing the unforced errors and getting past the tentativeness.  They took a lead in set two and stayed ahead until they won it 6-3.  Now the overall match was deadlocked and the deciding super tiebreaker would also determine which school wins the match. Billy and Grant, with nerves of steel, produced some of the best doubles I’ve seen from them all season and they jumped in front and never looked back.  The team cheered them on loudly every step of the way until the 10-5 victory.  The boys then stormed the court.  It was a moment I hope Billy and Grant never forget: Acalanes 5, Las Lomas 4.

The Dons now improve to 8-4 this season. And this was the perfect way to kickoff spring break. There are no matches next week. When we return, we do play Freedom High away on April 8. Today, our family members were out in large numbers. Even five students from past years, the Brewer grandparents from Arkansas, and a special girlfriend were present.   I will always remember to thank you all for the tremendous support. We needed you a little extra today. Go Dons!  Coach Rick

Results: Acalanes defeated Las Lomas 5-4

Singles

Diego Kirsh (LL) defeated #1 Sze You Chen (A) 6-3, 6-3

#2 Bora Hoeberechts (A) defeated Chris Casamiquela (LL) 6-3, 6-2

#3 Cameron Fisher (A) defeated Taro Boyle (LL) 6-3, 6-1

Andrey Filimonov (LL) defeated Chris Gorham (A) 7-5, 6-0

Trevor Chen (LL) defeated #5 Vedant Todi (A) 6-3, 6-4

Luke Beauchemin (LL) defeated #6 Nolan Roberts (A) 6-0, 6-4

Doubles

#1 Sze Ting Chen/Rhett Brewer (A) defeated Kyson Shih/Namka Storebaug (LL) 6-2, 6-0

#2 Saaj Shah/Kyle Shin (A) defeated Enzo Lee/Eric Maggiore (LL) 6-0, 6-0

#3 Grant Cortez/Billy O’Brien (A) defeated John Schatz/Pyush Vyas (LL) 3-6, 6-3, 10-5