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Tennis Team Eyes League Slot
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Always calculating the odds, Riverbank High School math teacher and tennis coach Bruce Edwards was reckoning his team might reach a first place tie as the league's second round starts this week.

The league leader, Escalon, unexpectedly lost to Livingston on Friday, he noted. So, if Riverbank can defeat Ripon Christian on April 6 and beat Hughson twice this Thursday, the Bruins again have a shot at first place.

The Bruins have to complete an unfinished first round match against Hughson and play the Huskies in a second round match on the same day. But they are trailing in the first round match.

Against Livingston on March 30, the Bruins won, 4-3, in a cliffhanger that went down to darkness and the final match. In this, number two boys singles player, Matt Santin finally prevailed after playing for two and a half hours.

"Santin was facing a guy who is undefeated and has a powerful serve. It was a gripping match." said Edwards.

In the singles matches, Riverbank's Javier Contreras lost, 6-1, 1-6, 2-6; Santin won, 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 6-2; Katy Hughes won, 5-7, 6-2, 6-1; and Rachel Soto lost, 2-6, 4-6.

"Katy showed a lot of composure, paced herself well and won in three," said Edwards. "Javier got off to a blazing start. Then lost his focus, went to a number of deuces and never recovered his confidence."

The Patterson match on Friday resulted in an easy, 6-1 win for Riverbank. The Bruins lost only the girls doubles.

In singles, Contreras won, 6-1, 6-3; Santin, 6-2, 6-3; Hughes, 6-0, 6-1; and Soto, 6-2, 6-3.

In doubles, Nathan Lyday and Tyler Burnett won 6-1, 6-4; Vivian Fernandez and Amber Nickles lost 7-5, 3-6, 2-6; and Justin Jarvis and Cecilia Gutierrez won, 5-7, 6-3, 7-5.