Traveling to Oakley over the weekend, the JV Dons brought the minimum eight players to field one team in a field of 12 competitive teams.

Format wise, the field was divided into groups of four teams. Each round featured two Singles lines and three Doubles lines.  Acalanes was in Group 3 along with Campolindo – and it would be the fifth matchup between the two this season.  Coupled with the other two teams in the group, it was a tough draw.

Also, given that the Dons had brought two teams in years past, the team made the best of a potentially tough situation that ended up being an all-day affair.

In Round 1 against Campo and Round 2 against Amador Valley – an even stronger opponent than the Cougars – the Dons fought valiantly but did not secure a set.  Reed Lusch and Cade Yen held down the Singles lines while the Doubles lines were comprised of Parker Hulst/Bryson Trimble, Owen Lee/Eddie Leung and Connor McAndrew/Conrad Smith.  Cade Yen’s narrow 5-7 loss against Amador Valley had been the closest match thus far, in fact featuring a match point for Cade before his opponent roared back.

The Dons did end on a positive tone, taking Round 3 against Heritage Blue 4-1.  Reed Lusch won handily at 6-2 in Line 1.  Coach Gary made a few adjustments in Doubles, which paid off with a sweep.  Eddie Leung and Connor McAndrew in Line 1 won 6-1, Parker Hulst and Bryson Trimble also won handily at 6-3 in Line 2 and Owen Lee and Conrad Smith cruised to a 6-2 set in Line 3.

In what Coach Gary would go on to term a tough day at the office, it was good to get in some weekend tennis and some camaraderie with the team.  Kudos to the eight-man squad for showing up – and ending on a high note!