Season continues for Sobrato tennis program MORGAN HILL The
Sobrato High School girls tennis team has had a busy week playing
in the West Valley division tournament, a championship match with
Del Mar, and most recently the BVAL championships. Freshman Alexa
Watanabe (No. 1) and Alie Pecsok (No. 2) led the way for the
Bulldogs this season, culminating in an exciting championship match
between the two on Monday.
Season continues for Sobrato tennis program
MORGAN HILL
The Sobrato High School girls tennis team has had a busy week playing in the West Valley division tournament, a championship match with Del Mar, and most recently the BVAL championships.
Freshman Alexa Watanabe (No. 1) and Alie Pecsok (No. 2) led the way for the Bulldogs this season, culminating in an exciting championship match between the two on Monday.
Watanabe’s first-place seeding got her a bye in the first round of the playoffs, but in the second round she defeated Herrera from Willow Glen 6-0, 6-2.
In the third round, Watanbe defeated Lecoms, Willow Glen, 6-0, 6-3.
Pecsok defeated Tiffany Vu, of Andrew Hill, in the first round 6-0, 6-1.
She had a bye in the second round, but in the third round Pecsok defeated Schauer of Del Mar, 6-1, 4-6, 10-8.
Watanabe and Pecsok’s undefeated tournament records brought the teammates head-to-head in the championship match.
“I wasn’t certain (who would win) to be honest, because Alie has been undefeated for the year,” head coach Randy Barbaglia said. “But all I had to do was say ‘Go Sobrato’ and I was fine.”
Watanabe defeated Pecsok 6-1, 6-2 to capture first place in the division standings.
Pecsok took second place.
The teammates each received a medal and a gift certificate for their performances.
“They hugged at the end,” Barbaglia said. “They’re like sisters … they have a bond as tennis sisters.”
Sobrato’s No. 1 doubles team of freshmen Alison Stoner and Katie Martin also received medals for their third-place finish in the division tournament.
“I would just like to congratulate everyone on the team,” Barbaglia said. “It’s like playing a mini-grand slam … they had to rest a little bit and then play, rest a little and then play … it pushed them to their limits.”
On Tuesday, Sobrato travelled to Del Mar High School to play a first-place tiebreaker match.
Del Mar went into the match with a 10-1 team record, while Sobrato went in with a 9-2 record.
Sobrato beat Del Mar in the teams’ first meeting in late Sept.
Sobrato defeated Del Mar 5-2, with key wins coming from Watanabe and No. 1 doubles duo Stoner/Martin.
The team victory advanced Sobrato’s record to 10-2 in the division, earning them co-champion status with Del Mar and the opportunity to play in the BVAL championships on Wednesday.
Facing the third-place Mount Hamilton (A) division Santa Teresa Saints, Sobrato dropped the match 5-2.
No. 1 A. Simmons, Santa Teresa, defeated Watanabe 1-6, 4-6.
“This girl played like a pro,” Barbaglia said.
After splitting sets, Pecsok overcame a 10 point tiebreaker to defeat Simmons’ sister, Marjni Simmons.
“Those two sisters are great players. They are like the Williams sisters,” Barbaglia said. “But Pecsok is undefeated in league and in the playoffs … As she keeps advancing it gets keener and keener, but she hangs with the best of them.”
In the No. 3 singles match, Sarah Morimoto was defeated by C. Nguyen 1-6, 2-6, but in the No. 4 match, Daniele Thanh defeated Sharon Bui 6-4, 2-6,8-3.
All three Sobrato doubles teams lost their matches.
Despite the team loss, Watanabe and Pecsok’s performances in the singles playoffs have earned them an opportunity to compete amongst the top girls in the all of the NorCal region next week.
The details of when and where their next matches will be were not available by press time.
