The on and off again scattered showers over the past week created a need for a bit of rescheduling of Riverbank High sports on the calendar ahead. Games earlier in the week got in but Thursday night’s and Friday morning’s precipitation caused a shuffle in some of those games.
TENNIS
On Tuesday, the RHS co-ed tennis team hosted the Indians from Ripon. According to coach Bruce Edwards, the team has improved in eight of their nine matches.
“It’s interesting to note that in the one match, that we did not improve in, the player had missed a lot of practices which made it difficult for her because we had changed her stroke mechanics,” Edwards said. “She wasn’t comfortable with the new technique. In time, with practice, she will be fine.”
Continued strides were made against Ripon.
“Previously, we had lost four of the five doubles. This time, we won four and took boys doubles #1 to three sets before losing in the third. Last time the boys lost quickly, in two sets,” Edwards pointed out. “I am very pleased with the team.” Edwards reported.
An interesting element of the girls doubles teams is that the #2 seed duo consists of sisters Carla and Alondra Ibarra, added Edwards.
Carla is a sophomore while Alondra is a freshman. They defeated their Ripon opponents 6-2, 6-3. Edwards said he has not had a sibling doubles squad in his days as a coach at Riverbank.
The tournament scheduled for Friday, at Mountain House, was postponed due to the rain, school officials said.
This week, the tennis team was to compete at Modesto Christian High School yesterday, April 11, and host Hughson tomorrow.
TRACK & FIELD
Last week at Hilmar was a disappointment, according to coach Monte Wood.
“We took two steps backwards,” he said. “We didn’t compete well and suffered a huge loss to the Yellowjackets.”
Wood said while many of the races and events were very close, the Bruins just seemed to come up a bit short at the finish line.
“I just don’t think we competed very well,” he said. “We’re determined to do better.”
On the bright side, Wood said that Marissa Castellanos broke her personal record for a win in girls shot put. Leonard Hernandez won the 800 and 3200 meters. Jalen Spikes set his own personal record, winning the triple jump. Javier Esquivel remained undefeated in the high jump, and he remains undefeated in TVL competition.
The Bruin teams were to travel this week for a three-way meet, taking on Modesto Christian and the host Mustangs at Mountain House.
SOFTBALL
Girls softball was scheduled to host Hughson last Tuesday, but the game had to be rescheduled for today, April 12, because coach Cassi Ross was out of town at a conference.
Riverbank was set to host the Lady Cougars of Escalon yesterday, then travel to Mountain House tomorrow.
BASEBALL
On Wednesday, April 5, Riverbank boys baseball traveled to Mountain House, where they lost a squeaker, 2-1, but their Friday game, hosting the Mustangs last week, was postponed by the rain. It has been rescheduled for Monday, April 24, at home at 4 p.m. It’s the first day RHS students will be back from Spring Break.
Both varsity and JV baseball is scheduled to continue today, April 12, with games at home against Hughson, then play the second half of the home and home series on Thursday, April 13 at Hughson.
