Inexperienced SHS led by juniors
MORGAN HILL — With a new coach and five freshmen on their 10-man roster, the Sobrato Bulldogs are braced for a rebuilding season. Tyler Pecsok and Zach Thomas are going to make the most of it.
Not long ago, they were rookies starters on a team that churned out an undefeated season in the West Valley Division and three players who reached the Blossom Valley Athletic League Singles/Doubles Tournament, including Thomas. Now in their third year as starting varsity tennis players, the Bulldogs’ top two singles are ready to lay the foundation for what they hope will be a memorable final season next spring.
In the meantime, they want to make their individual junior campaigns special as well.
“Tyler and I have a chance to go to BVALs this year,” Thomas said. “I went as a freshman in doubles, and I’d like to see us do the same as singles players.”
The two share the same goal as their inexperienced teammates: to improve with each match in the challenging Santa Teresa Division. Pecsok is 2-6 as the top single, and Thomas is 5-5. Both have improved their serve since last year, when Sobrato placed third in its debut season at the Blossom Valley Athletic League ‘B’ level.
“The competition is much harder. You’re going against some of the best of the best,” said Pecsok, who has climbed the singles ladder since starting in the No. 4 spot as a freshman. “I just want to play hard, have a good attitude and be competitive. There’s always something to work on.”
First-year coach Chas Thomas, Zach’s father, feels his most pressing task is to keep the team motivated, though the Bulldogs (1-1 league) aren’t exactly off to a discouraging start. They played inspiringly Tuesday to win 4-3 over Hill, which brought 30 players to Sobrato High School. Pecsok, Thomas and junior veteran Jacob Mendiola won in singles, and the Bulldogs’ top doubles team off Mitchell Pasek and Mitch Schenkelberg triumphed to clinch the victory for SHS.
“It all comes down to each match. They’re the only ones out there, so all they need to focus on is doing their best,” Chas Thomas said. “It’s not like we’re giving up this year.”
Schenkelberg, the team’s only senior, is the elder statesman of a doubles ladder that includes freshmen tandems Ravneet Grewal and Praveen Sinha; and Taylor Melody and Adrian Quintana.
Junior Khuzema Khairullah, the No. 3 single, rounds out Sobrato’s veterans.
