The NCS Singles and Doubles Championships finished today. To see all division 1 and 2 champions, open the link below and click on “brackets” under Individual Tennis.
CIF-North Coast Section (cifncs.org)
When Tucker, Ace and I drove out to Golden Gate Park this morning, I told them I was already proud of their results as they outperformed any expectations of an unseeded team reaching the semifinals. They had already respectfully represented Acalanes High and the DAL-F league with a solid placing in the tournament. We also talked about the level of tennis needed to win this event as the heat was about to get turned up significantly. The first match of the morning was a contest against the #1 seeded University team consisting of Cole Boake and Eli Linn. What I admire about both Tucker and Ace is their spirit and determination. They walked into the match unintimidated and ready to compete. Though they went to deuce in many of the games, converting that last point each game proved to be a tough task. They lost the match 6-3, 6-2, but the match itself was closer than the score reflected. We were disappointed but could take nothing away from the eventual tournament champions. The focus now shifted to playing for third place.
In the other semifinal match, #2 seeded Dylan Donovan and Sahm Taguchi of Head Royce defeated #3 seeded brothers Tom and Finn Higgins from Branson 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. After a thirty-minute break, Tucker and Ace again took to the courts facing the Higgins brothers. The winner would take third place. The first set was a closely contested battle. I think the Acalanes players and supporters realized early in the match that this was winnable. The problem became execution. A few more first serves in, more first-volley put aways, and a few less unforced errors and we have a legitimate chance to win this match. The first set was lost 6-4 and then the brothers ran away with a 6-0 win in the second. The Acalanes boys did get medals for the fourth place finish.
Though the defeat was difficult to swallow, the focus again shifts. Starting tomorrow, Tuesday May 7, the team competes in the NCS Team Championships. For the first round we travel to Santa Rosa as the #4 seed to take on #13 Sonoma Academy. The format will be four singles and three doubles.
I’ll close by saying again that Tucker and Ace represented Acalanes and the DAL-F league with dignity, hard-fought matches, and a medal placing. I’m proud of these two seniors and not just because of their performance today. I’ve had the pleasure and privilege of coaching these two athletes for the past three years. It’s been a fun ride and I’m happy they both got to experience playing in this event before they graduated – so much so that I’m breaking my own rule and appearing in a booster picture with them both as the proud coach. The whole varsity team was rooting them on from their classrooms awaiting text message updates each round. I also know Coach Peter thinks the world of these two boys. Thanks again also to the parents who made the drive out to San Francisco on Friday and Monday and didn’t miss a single point of all four matches. Go Dons! Coach Rick
