Also, LO hosts league tilt in field hockey this week
MORGAN HILL — Ten matches into league play, the Sobrato Bulldogs are on pace to fulfill their goal of finishing in the top three in Mount Hamilton Division girls tennis, an impressive feat for their first season at the A level.
Sobrato moved to 6-4 in league Thursday with a 6-1 win over visiting Leigh.
The Bulldogs swept singles play as Alexis Whitaker outlasted Emma Batmazain 6-1, 6-7, 11-9 in a thrilling No. 1 singles match, and Alexa Watanabe, Ali Pecsok and Emerald Nguyen triumphed in straight sets.
Amanda Alipaz and Nemerta Cherra defeated Kristen Crooks and Alejandra Ayllon 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 for an exciting end to the match. Allison Bettencourt and Mica Schenkelberg also won in doubles for SHS, which has four matches left.
The Bulldogs host Silver Creek at 3:15 p.m. Tuesday.
Friday, Sobrato players will compete in the opening rounds of the Mount Hamilton Singles/Doubles Tournament. The event is scheduled to resume Oct. 22.
BOYS WATER POLO
Danny Robinson and Connor Haines helped carry the Acorns to a second-place finish in the Live Oak bracket of the Polo Fest Tournament. The Acorns beat Otey Ranch – San Diego and Harker Academy before losing in the championship game to San Benito in overtime.
Robinson paced Live Oak’s offense, and Haines anchored the defense.
“We’ve had some tight games lately, so this was a confidence builder,” Acorns coach Mack Haines said. “We’re hovering around .500 right now. We just need to keep winning.”
In the Sobrato bracket, the Bulldogs sandwiched a 9-8 victory over Robert Louis Stevenson around 11-6 losses to La Jolla Country Day–San Diego and Carmel.
The Bulldogs host the Acorns at 5 p.m. Wednesday in Mount Hamilton play. Both teams are 1-2 in league.
FIELD HOCKEY
Lysette Abarca scored twice to help Live Oak rally from two goals down Friday at Leland, but the Acorns lost 3-2 for their first defeat in Santa Teresa Division play.
After trailing 2-0, Live Oak cut the deficit in half with Lysette Abarca’s goal just before the break. Danielle Horning passed in the ball to Catherine Sparling, who found Abarca on the left side of the cage.
The Chargers (4-2 league) struck again early in the second half, but Live Oak answered off a penalty corner. Abarca inserted the ball to Kirsten Doting for a shot, and Abarca tipped in the rebound over the goalkeeper’s right shoulder.
In the final eight minutes, Live Oak (5-1) had several scoring opportunities, including a few one-on-one situations, but failed to capitalize.
Fortunately for the Acorns, previously-unbeaten Cupertino lost as well Friday, setting up an important game between the two front-runners at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Friday, Sobrato put up a stiff fight against West Valley Division leader Del Mar only to fall 1-0.
For the Bulldogs (2-4), it was their fifth league game decided by one goal.
The Dons remain undefeated in the West Valley at 4-0-1.
