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Tennis season is underway and the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League seems to be wide open. The San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley High School teams
“We have been in what seem to be a continuous rebuilding stage for years now,” said Cougar Head Coach Wayne Sandals. “The team gets better the players improve, then they will switch to another sport or try something else.”
The Cougars have yet to win a match on the season but hope that hard work and determination will pay off.
The Falcons No.1 singles champion from last year, Cody Rakella has left the school team to play club tennis. Rakella’s absence has left the league title up for grabs as many singles players opted to play doubles due to Rakellas’ talent.
“Cody is so much better than he was last year,” Sandals said. “He has grown a few inches and his game is just so improved. He and I played a few weeks ago and his game has turned downright scary.”
Scotts Valley Head Coach Greg Weston is pulling his program back together after losing Rakella but seems to have little problem finding talent.
“Jordan Rein is as good as anyone in league,” Weston said. “If he can stay focused he should be able to knock off some big names in the SCCAL.”
The Falcons and Cougars squared off at Scotts Valley on March 22 with Scotts Valley prevailing 7-0 against the young Cougar squad.
In No.1 singles, Falcon Jordan Rein topped SLV’s Marty Varner 6-4, 6-2. The closest of the singles matches was at No. 4 singles that found Scotts Valley’s Parker Helm defeating Carter Hayes 6-3, 3-6, 10-6.
Charlie Celluci and Tony Reksoatmodjo defeated Cougar doubles team in the No. 3 matchup against SLV’s Thomas Adams and Cass Norfleet.
Scotts Valley improved to 2-0 on the season and will play next at 3:30 p.m. April 10 at Aptos High School.
SLV dropped to 0-1 in league play and will play next at 3:30 p.m. April 10 at Santa Cruz High.
