The high school co-ed tennis portions of the Trans-Valley League season came to an end this past week, with Riverbank’s team on top of the win-loss standings, and players filling out much of the all-league team roster, as well.
A bonus found RHS coach Bruce Edwards name Coach of the Year for a second year, and boys first seed Alex Alfaro was unanimously voted as the TVL’s Most Valuable Player.
In addition to Alfaro, who was named as boys singles No. 1, other RHS players on the list included Zubaidullah Hamidi, No. 2 singles and Jesus Aguiniga and Luis de la Santos, No. 1 boys doubles.
Selena Garcia and Alondra Ibarra were named girls singles Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, while Jackie Pantoja and Carla Ibarra were selected as girls doubles No. 1 pair.
The rankings were announced following the TVL league tournament held on Friday and Saturday last weekend.
Coach Edwards reported that Alfaro defeated a tough Mountain House opponent, 6-0 and 7-6, winning the tie-breaker, 7-4.
“Girls doubles first seed Carla Ibarra and Jackie Pantoja defeated a strong Escalon team in their finals, 6-3, 6-3,” noted Edwards.
The Bruin boys doubles no. 1 seed pair of de la Santos and Aguiniga came in first place, he the coach added.
“The boys defeated a very good Mountain House team, 2-6, 6-2 and 6-3. After losing that first set, they adjusted their game strategy by using Jesus’ suggestions,” Edwards said.
Section Tournament Qualifiers
After Saturday’s play, several Riverbank players and pairs qualified for the section individual tournament on Thursday and Friday, May 4 and 5, to be played at Oak Park in Stockton.
Set to play in boys singles is Alfaro, who placed fourth in the section after last year’s tournament. Aguiniga and de la Santos will play in boys doubles, Edwards said. He also noted that two girls pairs will be competing, Garcia with Alondra Ibarra, and Pantoja matched with Carla Ibarra. The two Riverbank girls pairs qualified by ending up playing each other in the TVL tournament.
Division II Playoffs Begin
In addition to the section tournament at the end of the week, the first round of Division II Co-Ed Tournament begins May 2. Since the Bruins placed first in the TVL, they get home court advantage as long as they win.
They’ll first host the Waterford Wildcats on Wednesday, May 2, with the second round on Monday, May 7, and the final on Wednesday, May 9 at a site to be determined. If the Bruins win the opening round, they will host the winner of the Bear River (No. 4 seed) vs. Argonaut (No. 5 seed) on Monday, May 7 on the Riverbank courts.
