The California Tennis Classic is held every year in Fresno.  Due to rain, it has been canceled two out of the last three years.  This year, 72 teams from across California entered the tournament.  Because Acalanes is missing its #1, #3 and #5 players, we are playing in the division two bracket of the tournament.  After day one, it feels like we are in the right bracket as both matches were competitive and the score lines close.  Because the format each round is three singles and three doubles, it’s easy to end up in a 3-3 tie.  The tiebreaker is to move to the number of sets won.  If that is also tied, then you count the games won.  If that is a tie, the winner of the #1 seeded singles match is the decider.  Why do I explain that as a preface?  It is because we ran into just that situation in the first round. 

Our opening match was against the Wilcox Chargers out of Santa Clara, and thanks to straight set wins from #1 Owens and doubles teams #1 Kaya/Bora Hoeberechts and #2 Dylan Rocca/Blake Marshall, we ended up in a tie.  Because the number of sets was also tied at 6-6, the decider ended up being how many games we won vs. lost.  Unfortunately, we fell short 57-51 in a nailbiter.  The boys played well and it was tough to swallow our first defeat of the year, but it just increased our focus on winning the next match.

In the second round, the Dons took on Hart High School out of Santa Clarita.  #1 Owens and #2 Sze You Chen ran into very talented opponents and put up a good fight, however, went down in straight sets.  The Dons won this match because #3 Shah pulled off another double bagel win (his third this season) and our three doubles teams swept giving us the nod 4-2.  The Hoeberechts brothers and the combo of Dylan Rocca and Blake Marshall have been a dependable one-two punch.  Chase Belhumeur teamed up with Danny Goldwyn in the #3 spot and won easily 6-2, 6-2.  Though we won, it was overshadowed by a little bad news in that Shah rolled his ankle and is questionable for tomorrow’s matches.

After today, Acalanes moves to 5-1 on the season, and the tournament continues with two more rounds tomorrow.  The Dons play St. Joseph first and then Stockdale in the afternoon.  We then hit the road to return home.  Later tomorrow night, I’ll put another article out summarizing day two.

Because we are out in Fresno, I certainly didn’t expect to see our fan base on the sidelines, but the team and I need to thank Matt and Jill Owens.  This trip does not happen without their help.  We had two large SUVs rented and ready to go on Thursday, but it ended up we didn’t have enough cargo space.  Jill ran home, got her personal vehicle, and became the third driver.  She also reserved the hotel rooms and has been instrumental in getting the boys fed.  Matt has been our Bitterman – we just replaced Arthur with six teenage tennis players.  I can’t say thank you enough!   Go Dons!  Coach Rick

Match 1 Results – Wilcox defeated Acalanes 3-3 matches, 6-6 sets, 57-51 games won

Singles

#1 Nick Owens (A) defeated Harry Clarke (W) 6-3,6-2

Mihir Vinnakota (W) defeated #2 Sze You Chen (A) 6-3, 6-2

Aaron Lee (W) defeated #3 Saaj Shah (A) 6-1, 6-3

Doubles

#1 Bora and Kaya Hoeberechts (A) defeated William He/Dan Shalev (W) 6-3, 7-5

#2 Dylan Rocca/Blake Marshall (A) defeated Sam He/Aryan Ponnoru (W) 6-4, 6-4

Bryce Alkuino/Hiroto Torii (W) defeated #3 Danny Goldwyn/Carsten Ristow (A) 6-2, 6-3

 

Match 2 Results – Acalanes defeated Hart 4-2

Singles

Nixon Liescheidt (H) defeated #1 Nick Owens (A) 6-1, 6-1

Anthony Lipa (H) defeated #2 Sze You Chen (A) 6-3, 6-4

#3 Saaj Shah (A) defeated Logan Veluzat (H) 6-0, 6-0

Doubles

#1 Bora and Kaya Hoeberechts (A) defeated Vincent Hills/Micah Selwa (H) 6-3, 6-1

#2 Dylan Rocca/Blake Marshall (A) defeated Bryan Wynn/Jaysen Serrano (H) 6-1, 6-0

#3 Danny Goldwyn/Chase Belhumeur (A) defeated Lucas Selwa/Jonethen Merliner (H) 6-2, 6-2