After a well-deserved spring break, the Dons squad trekked out to Oakley today to take on the Freedom Falcons for the first time.  I was hesitant to book this match initially because of the distance and potential traffic issues, but everything turned out just fine.  In fact, it was a beautiful day, Coach Marie and her team were very hospitable and friendly, and it was a fun match.  Today most of the news was good, but it was overshadowed by some news that saddened the whole team.  Let the unpacking begin.

I like to start with the good news.  First, our top-ranked player Sze Ting Chen returned to singles action and is 100% healed.  In addition, #6 Sammy Taylor is back and that was evident as he delayed the team from driving home by finishing his match last…again.  Lastly, the team improves to 9-4 on the season and we’re headed into the second half healthy.

Freedom has ten tennis courts, so all matches went on at the same time.  The seven wins were dominant.  In singles, #1 Sze Ting Chen gave up three games, #2 Shah gave up one, #5 Taylor gave up one and #6 Gorham gave up five.  Our doubles teams also finished quickly as #1 Hoeberechts/Marshall took on the opponent coach’s sons, winning 6-3, 6-2.  #2 Cortez/O’Brien stayed undefeated as a doubles team making quick work of Weiss/Thull 6-3, 6-1.  And #3 Zheng/King only gave up two games in a convincing win over Quesada/Toledo.  The team covered for #3 and #4 singles today as we’ll just say Sze You Chen and Shin had rough days at the office.  It happens and we move forward. 

Before closing, I want to dedicate a few sentences to thanking the varsity assistant coaches: Peter Brightbill and Peter Foster.  I had the distinct pleasure of coaching both of their sons.  After Luke Brightbill (2023) and Sammy Foster (2025) graduated, their fathers were allowed to help coach the team.  These weren’t my rules, they were the rules of their sons. 😊 Both assistant coaches are accomplished players and the boys and I respect and appreciate their teaching and guidance.  They take a tremendous weight off my shoulders and make our practices more productive and fun.  Coach Foster announced Monday that he has decided to return to the world of the working, so going forward he will be limited on how much time he can spend with the team.  Though we are bummed and will miss him, we know we’ll see him when he can free up time.  My sincerest appreciation goes out to both coaches as they are volunteers and have been so dedicated to the team’s success.

In closing, I finally found a place where parents won’t come to watch.  Try highway 4 in the afternoon headed to Oakley and see how long it takes you.  😊 We did have our driver parents supporting us and the Ammerman’s provided Diablo Foods sandwiches which started the afternoon off on the right foot.  The parents are spoiling these boys by continuing to one up each other.  They eat like kings at a royal buffet!  Thank you again so much.  Next week, we are on the road; away Tuesday at Clayton Valley and away Thursday at Campolindo.  Hope to see you.  Go Dons!  Coach Rick

Results: Acalanes defeated Freedom 7-2

Singles

#1 Sze Ting Chen (A) defeated Enzo Dinelli (F) 6-2, 6-1

#2 Saaj Shah (A) defeated Mauricio Suffle Hernandez (F) 6-1, 6-0

Niel Gichohi (F) defeated #3 Sze You Chen (A) 7-5, 6-1

Levi Pedersen (F) defeated #4 Kyle Shin (A) 6-1, 6-1

#5 Sammy Taylor (A) defeated Elvin Ramos (F) 6-0, 6-1

#6 Chris Gorham (A) defeated Amadeus Castillo (F) 6-2, 6-3

Doubles

#1 Bora Hoeberechts/Blake Marshall (A) defeated Josiah Calderon/Dino Calderon (F) 6-3, 6-2

#2 Grant Cortez/Billy O’Brien (A) defeated Jensen Weiss/Ethan Thull (F) 6-3, 6-1

#3 Andrew Zheng/Alex King (A) defeated Giovanni Quesada/Jaden Toledo-Manucat (F) 6-1, 6-1