Gilroy keeps games close but manages to win just one set
Hollister – Gilroy is still looking for its first singles or doubles winner of the 2006 girls’ tennis season.
The Mustangs have been slow out of the gate this season, as they dropped their third straight 7-0 decision Tuesday, this time to San Benito at Ridgemark Golf & Country Club.
“Sure, I’m disappointed,” said GHS coach Randy Barbaglia. “They have the ability but they get down on themselves and that’s what we’re trying to beat. At this level, there are one or two excellent players (on each team) and the rest are on an even playing field.”
Nevertheless, Barbaglia realizes the ‘Balers are one of the top teams in the Tri-County Athletic League, their 7-0 defeat to Notre Dame notwithstanding. Many of the games were close Tuesday, but Gilroy won just one set. The Mustangs’ No. 1 doubles team of Holly Hunter and Karissa Tellez extended Michelle Rovella and Marisa Ibarra to three games before falling 6-3, 4-6, 11-9.
In singles, it was all San Benito (3-5 overall, 1-1 TCAL) as Amanda Marshall defeated Amy Huang 6-0, 6-2; Abby Woods got past Emily Castro 6-4, 6-3; Lizzy Gatto finished ahead of Gories Kwong 6-2, 6-1, and Rebecca Williams turned back Cherilyn Christian 6-3, 6-1.
The ‘Balers’ No. 2 doubles team of Rachel Mahey and Elena Fata beat Anneliesa Zelina and Alyssa Castro 6-2, 6-3, and their No. 3 doubles team of Crystal Perreira and Yumi Chang won over Natalie Toews and Rina Alvarado 6-1, 6-2.
“We still have room for improvement, but everyone is doing a good job,” Marshall said. “They (Mustangs) played hard. I think some of the tough teams we played early in the season has helped us to improve.”
GHS will hope to show improvement Thursday when it welcomes TCAL foe Everett Alvarez to Gilroy for a 3:30pm match.
