After dropping a tough match to a talented Escalon Cougars team, the Riverbank High varsity tennis team got things back on track with a pair of convincing victories during recent Trans-Valley League action.
Riverbank had no problem disposing of Hughson High (6-1) and Waterford High (7-0), getting the squad back on to its winning ways right at the season's halfway point.
Riverbank got standout singles play from No. 1 boys player Steve Caton. Caton outlasted a determined Damon Denio of Hughson to pull home a point for his Riverbank teammates.
Caton slipped past Denio 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (8-6) in arguably the best match of the entire season.
"This match lasted over two hours," Riverbank head coach Bruce Edwards said. "Steven was down in that third set 5-2 when he figured out how he was going to win the match."
Caton only needed to keep the ball between the lines and allow his opponent to do himself harm with unforced errors. No. 1 girls singles player Maricruz Pantoja made the most of her action against Hughson, notching her first league victory of the season with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Hughson's Madison Santiesteban.
Both Riverbank boys' doubles teams had their way with the Huskies with Jose Maecedo and Irvin Carrillo joining forces to slam past Hughson's No. 1 doubles 6-2, 6-2 for the league win.
E.J and Justin Rowe continued their impressive run through league action, keeping their TVL win streak alive with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Hughson's Cameron White and Ben Melendez.
The girls No. 1 doubles tandem of Ashley Tristao and Monica Perez didn't have as easy a task, yet they came out on top with a 6-4, 7-5 win over Hughson's girls No. 1. The battle could have gone either way, but the two Lady Bruins were able to make the plays down the stretch to earn the win.
"This was our girls' second win," Edwards said. "They are both showing nice improvements. Monica on her volleys and Ashley is improving on her serves."
Riverbank's No. 2 girls had some success as well, as Taylor Siador and Elizabeth Zamora teamed up for a 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 win over Hughson's No. 2 for their second win in TVL play.
Mixed doubles held Riverbank's only setback as Charli Perez and Stevie Pamer were edged out 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a frustrating loss for Riverbank.
"I felt that the other team wanted it more," Edwards said of the match. "They seemed to show more energy and enthusiasm. We got down and had trouble getting each other pumped up.
"Mixed-doubles requires a special chemistry and it was not there."
Riverbank will look to continue its recent streak of solid play when the squad travels to Ripon to take on the Ripon Indians on Thursday, April 9 beginning at 4 p.m.
Riverbank had no problem disposing of Hughson High (6-1) and Waterford High (7-0), getting the squad back on to its winning ways right at the season's halfway point.
Riverbank got standout singles play from No. 1 boys player Steve Caton. Caton outlasted a determined Damon Denio of Hughson to pull home a point for his Riverbank teammates.
Caton slipped past Denio 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (8-6) in arguably the best match of the entire season.
"This match lasted over two hours," Riverbank head coach Bruce Edwards said. "Steven was down in that third set 5-2 when he figured out how he was going to win the match."
Caton only needed to keep the ball between the lines and allow his opponent to do himself harm with unforced errors. No. 1 girls singles player Maricruz Pantoja made the most of her action against Hughson, notching her first league victory of the season with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Hughson's Madison Santiesteban.
Both Riverbank boys' doubles teams had their way with the Huskies with Jose Maecedo and Irvin Carrillo joining forces to slam past Hughson's No. 1 doubles 6-2, 6-2 for the league win.
E.J and Justin Rowe continued their impressive run through league action, keeping their TVL win streak alive with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Hughson's Cameron White and Ben Melendez.
The girls No. 1 doubles tandem of Ashley Tristao and Monica Perez didn't have as easy a task, yet they came out on top with a 6-4, 7-5 win over Hughson's girls No. 1. The battle could have gone either way, but the two Lady Bruins were able to make the plays down the stretch to earn the win.
"This was our girls' second win," Edwards said. "They are both showing nice improvements. Monica on her volleys and Ashley is improving on her serves."
Riverbank's No. 2 girls had some success as well, as Taylor Siador and Elizabeth Zamora teamed up for a 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 win over Hughson's No. 2 for their second win in TVL play.
Mixed doubles held Riverbank's only setback as Charli Perez and Stevie Pamer were edged out 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a frustrating loss for Riverbank.
"I felt that the other team wanted it more," Edwards said of the match. "They seemed to show more energy and enthusiasm. We got down and had trouble getting each other pumped up.
"Mixed-doubles requires a special chemistry and it was not there."
Riverbank will look to continue its recent streak of solid play when the squad travels to Ripon to take on the Ripon Indians on Thursday, April 9 beginning at 4 p.m.
