Small roster adds onus to win for SHS
MORGAN HILL — Zach Thomas understood the importance of doubles play last season when, as part of Sobrato’s top pair, he helped secure the one doubles victory his team typically needed to clinch each victory — and, eventually, the West Valley Division title.
Thomas, a sophomore, moved up to the singles ladder this year, but is playing with even more pressure. The Bulldogs are down a doubles team.
“We didn’t have enough guys out this year,” said Thomas, who, alongside then-senior Jarom Warren, reached the 2008 CIF-Central Coast Section Doubles Tournament. “Every time we step onto the court, we know we need to win. I like playing singles a lot more. It’s just hard knowing you can’t lose.”
As a team, Sobrato certainly cannot; not if it plans on making a return to the postseason. Although the Bulldogs jumped to the Santa Teresa Division, which is allotted more playoffs berths than the West Valley, they have a stronger field to compete with. They fell to 1-2 with Thursday’s 5-2 loss to Branham (2-2 BVAL) at Sobrato High School.
“The competition is much stronger,” Sobrato coach Randy Barbaglia said. “It’s more intense play. It’s going to be tough for us to have the same kind of success as last year, but I’m optimistic. The guys don’t care much who they’re up against.”
The same goes for expectations. The Bulldogs would love to hang another banner in Sobrato Gym, but are just hoping to win their next match.
“You have to just focus on your opponent,” Thomas said. “You have to take every game; every swing one at a time.”
Despite their small roster, the Bulldogs still have a strong lineup, which includes eight veterans. Four of those make up the singles corps, with Ronnie Pollard at the top spot, Nick Garber at No. 2 and Tyler Pecsok and Thomas at Nos. 3 and 4, respectively.
If singles wins are important, Sobrato has just the right guys.
“We’re definitely the strength of this team,” Pecsok said. “Our singles are solid. Zach’s the man. He’s playing with a lot more consistency this year. Ronnie and Nick were big last year.”
Pollard, a senior, is coming off an undefeated season in league dual matches. He lost 6-1, 6-1 Thursday to Branham standout Matt Robert, who was a section champion two years ago.
“Ronnie just needs to play as good as he can and stay calm out there,” Barbaglia said. “He could challenge in the division singles tournament.”
Pollard has taken over the position held by former teammate Randy Pinkston, who last year won the West Valley singles title. Pinkston, now a junior, did not return to the program this winter.
“It’s going to be even tougher for us without a third doubles team and without Randy,” Pecsok said. “But we still have a good team. We have to be consistent.”
The Bulldogs’ top pair is comprised of veterans Gian Abella and Mitchell Schenkelberg. Teammates Chris Holmes and Khuzema Khairullah, who last three sets Thursday, follow in the No. 2 spot.
Sobrato on Tuesday will travel to Oak Grove for a 3:15 p.m. league contest.
