Sobrato a contender in the Santa Teresa Division
MORGAN HILL — Despite winning nine league matches a year ago, returning members of the Sobrato tennis team described their first season in the Santa Teresa Division as an eye-opening experience.
The Lady Bulldogs were coming off a whirlwind 2007 in which they clinched a share of the West Valley Division crown with relative ease. As a garnish, their top two singles, Alexa Watanabe and Ali Pecsok, squared off in an exciting West Valley Singles Tournament final that Watanabe won.
Sobrato took a small step back in 2008.
“Those first couple of games, we were like, ‘Wow, we actually have to try,'” junior Amy Morimoto said. “Almost every team’s singles and doubles were good.”
The Bulldogs had part of that equation — a singles ladder that produced three all-league selections, plus a Santa Teresa champion in Watanabe and a third-place finisher in Pecsok. Without a sure-fire doubles tandem, though, Sobrato settled for third in the team standings; a mere three wins behind champion Mount Pleasant.
The Bulldogs (2-1 league) have their pearly-white sneakers in place to make a great leap forward in 2009. Their pairings comprise six of their nine returning starters, including Morimoto at No. 1 and the talented Warren sisters at Nos. 2 and 3, and three returning singles players.
Oh, and Watanabe and Pecsok are back.
“We can be even better than last year,” sixth-year coach Randy Barbaglia said. “Our doubles are way better, absolutely. And they could be better yet.
“I’m very excited about our singles.”
Barbaglia did not scoff when asked if his team could win league.
“They have the potential to do anything,” he said before Wednesday’s nonleague bout with San Benito. “They have the skill to play with any team in league. They have to want to win. They have to be aggressive.”
At least as aggressive as the quietly confident Sobrato players can be. Though the Santa Teresa is stronger this year, according to some coaches, the Bulldogs are not intimidated.
“We’re in good shape,” said Watanabe, whose goal is to win a third consecutive singles league title. “I think we might have a chance of winning league again this year. The league could be better, but we’ve improved.”
Watanabe, Pecsok and Allison Stoner — all juniors — occupy the top three singles spots followed by newcomer Emerald Nguyen, a promising freshman.
Morimoto is paired with classmate Katie Martin, senior Alyssa Warren joins sophomore Allison Bettencourt and senior Nemerita Cherra flanks veteran sophomore Alicia Warren.
“We’re paired up very well, much better than last year,” Morimoto said. “Doubles are looking a lot more consistent. We’re going to impress people this season.”
