Denair High ousted Turlock Christian High 8-1 in Tuesday’s Southern Athletic League finale.
“We never gave up and we kept playing hard as possible till the end,” Denair head coach Paul Michaelis said.
The only victory for the Eagles was won by Savannah Swanson who defeated Alex Knapp of Denair, 6-3, 6-2.
“Savannah has been doing great lately,” Turlock Christian’s head coach Jack Schneider said. “More consistency coming from her, as well as the mechanics, has made her drastically improve. The in-game strategies are working for her.”
The Coyotes won the remainder of their matches, including three wins by default as the Eagles forfeited the second boys singles and the first and second boys doubles due to the ineligibility of Eric Amya, also a basketball player, who had been outstanding at the number one position.
“If I would have gotten a hold of him as a freshman, I really think he would have won two singles conference titles by his senior year,” Schneider said.
After the match, Denair improved to 10-5 and currently sits in third place in the SAL, behind Delhi (11-4) and Ripon Christian (15-0). Turlock Christian finished the season 1-13-1.
The league tournament is set to begin on Thursday at the Del Rio Country Club in Modesto starting with the singles. Doubles will follow on Friday along with the mixed doubles.
“I think we will do pretty well. We have some high-seated players that have been playing well especially early on,” Michaelis said. “Obviously, Ripon Christian are the favorites for sure in the singles across. But I believe we have a good shot in boys doubles and girls doubles. The boys doubles have been very strong all year. All around we have been good so I feel we have a good shot.”
End results for the day:
Jessica Pombo (D) d. Brenna Visaraga (TC), 7-5, 6-4
Brian Dudley (D) d. Zack Jordan (TC), 6-3, 6-4
Denair wins 2nd boys singles by default.
Aliah Ibarra/Cecilia Aguilar (D) d. Daphne Eissabake/Shanel Esaloo (TC) 6-2, 7-5
Tylerr Metcalf/Sarah Shehan (D) d. Sierra Alvernaz/Carlota Roldan (TC) 6-3, 6-0
Denair wins 1st and 2nd boys doubles by default
Jeni Calderon/Alfonso Haro (D) d. Anne Ma/William Randall (TC) 6-0, 6-1
