The quarterfinal round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III coed tennis playoffs had the pleasure of hosting the Riverbank High Bruins on Monday.

Riverbank stifled Sierra Delta League champions, Forest Lake Christian, with a 6-3 decision on April 30 to win their postseason opener and earn a trip to the bracket quarterfinals on Monday — though results were not available at press time.

The Bruins entered the postseason as the No. 2 seed from the Trans-Valley League, but were tabbed for an away contest at Forest Lake after SDL, Golden Empire League, Southern League and Sierra Valley Conference teams received the only host games for their conference runner-up.

Forest Lake struggled to win close contests against surging Bruin players, ultimately falling to the Bruins 6-3. Armando Rodriguez won 6-1, 6-1 to cruise in No. 1 singles, while Nick Campbell rallied to a 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 in No. 2 singles.

Linda Erazo also managed a comeback with her 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 win in No. 1 singles while Gabby Macedo did the same with her 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 finish in No. 2 singles.

“Had we lost in those close matches, Forest Lake could have beaten us by the same total or more than we beat them,” coach Bruce Edwards said. “What was impressive is how we outlasted them after a two and a half (hour) bus ride.

“Endurance and being used to the heat appeared to help us.”

Ernie Velasco and Javier Baltazar pulled together 6-4, 7-6 wins from the No. 1 boys doubles position, while Juan Alfaro and Mago Manriquez took care of business, 6-1, 6-0 in mixed doubles. The Bruins couldn’t match the same success in girls doubles or No. 2 boys doubles, but stayed comfortably ahead in team scoring after the close singles victories.

Rodriguez went on to compete in the individual tennis playoffs, where he fell 6-2, 6-0 to a tough opponent from Amador.