San Lorenzo Valley High boys tennis team is building momentum early on during the 2026 spring campaign.
Combining a deep roster with a strong commitment to improve within the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League, the Cougars are ready to pounce on the competition.
They served up an ace to begin the season with a hard-fought 4-3 victory over Aptos High in the teams’ league opener Tuesday afternoon.
Several matches stretched to nearly two hours as both squads played in temperatures that almost reached 90 degrees in the valley, testing the players’ endurance and focus.
“Getting the win versus Aptos was huge, this is a big step forward for SLV,” said SLV head coach Matt O’Brien.
This year’s Cougars roster is 15 players deep, including one senior, six juniors, four sophomores and four freshmen. They bring a balanced mix of experience and new talent.
O’Brien said he’s encouraged by the group’s work ethic. Plus, the return of assistant coach Fred Ersunay adds continuity and experience to the program.
“The commitment and work ethic have really shown early in the season with most of the team regularly attending practices,” O’Brien said.
Nico Mangine, a freshman, has stepped into the No. 1 singles position and brings a high level of experience to the lineup.
SLV team captain Sawyer Amos, now in his third year, continues to serve as the steady voice and leader of the group. He won his singles match on Tuesday.
In doubles play, the returning team of Everett Callender and James Collins looks to build on last season, and is hungry for more wins. The Cougar tandem won their double match in straight sets 7-5, 6-2.
The rest of the group features a wide range of developing players, including Elias Luengas, Oscar Schipper, Ryder Angiolani, Ryder Swcharzbach, Finn O’Brien, Alex Noon, Zevrin Hickey, Charlie Turner, Colton “CJ” Jones, Colton Scarborough and Eli Rogerson.
O’Brien said each player is steadily improving and contributing to the team’s depth.
“Our focus is simple,” O’Brien said. “We want these players to trust themselves, put in the work, and compete with confidence. If they do that, and enjoy the game, we’ll keep getting better.”
With a strong start and a committed group, SLV looks poised to compete throughout the SCCAL season.
SLV (1-0) continues league play at Harbor High on Thursday at 4:30pm.
SV drops SCCAL opener: Scotts Valley’s Jason Krok and Freddy Padilla went the distance to win in their No. 3 doubles match on Tuesday afternoon.
But, the Falcons fell to Santa Cruz, 6-1, in SCCAL action, dropping to 0-1 in league play this season.
Krok and Padilla defeated Santa Cruz’s Max Scheidt and Aldon Fairchild in a three set tiebreaker 5-7, 7-5 (10-4).
Next up, Scotts Valley (0-5, 0-1) hosts Soquel on Thursday at 4pm.
High school baseball
SLV begins season on seven game losing skid: San Lorenzo Valley has yet to get in the win column after losing seven straight to begin the 2026 spring campaign.
Larabee Mitchell batted a perfect 3 for 3 with one double, two RBIs and one runs scored in the Cougars’ 14-9 loss to Piedmont Hills in nonleague play March 14.
Teammate Brody Enger had two hits, including one double, one RBI and scored a pair of runs, while Spencer Bruce scored two runs and drove in one.
Next up, SLV (0-7) will host Harbor (5-2) in the teams’ SCCAL opener on Friday at 4:30pm.
SV loses three straight heading into SCCAL play: Scotts Valley will attempt to bounce back following three consecutive losses in nonleague play.
Rex Thompson had a grand slam in the Falcons’ 12-4 loss to Leigh on Tuesday afternoon. Teammates Monte Jordan, Ben Acton and Owen Martin each scored one run on the homer.
Scotts Valley (2-5) plays at Soquel (5-1) in the teams’ SCCAL opener on Friday at 4pm.
High school softball
SLV sits at .500 prior to SCCAL play: San Lorenzo Valley put up 11 runs in the sixth inning en route to a 12-2 crushing win in six innings over Alvarez in nonleague play on March 11.
A two-run single from Bailey Filice started the scoring rally for the Cougars in the sixth frame.
Elie Colby, Grace Purtscher and Skylar Cloyd each delivered run-scoring doubles for SLV, while teammate Audrey Jouglet added an RBI single during the surge.
With the win, the Cougars improved to a 3-3-1 overall record as they head into the start of SCCAL play against Harbor on Thursday at 4pm.
SLV finished with 13 total hits, including a three-hit performance by Sophia Sarmiento. Purtscher, Jouglet, Filice, Colby and Cloyd each drove in a pair of runs.
In the circle, Purtscher struck out six in four innings, while Cloyd closed it out with three strikeouts to record the win.
Behind the plate, catcher Audrey Jouglet tossed out two runners attempting to steal, helping the Cougars control the game defensively.
Next up, SLV (3-3-1) will compete in the Watsonville High Tournament on Saturday, followed by its SCCAL home-opener against Soquel on March 24 at 4:30pm.
SV still on hunt for first win of season: Scotts Valley remains winless after three games into the 2026 spring campaign.
The Falcons were edged by Alisal, 6-4, in nonleague action on March 11. Natalie Murray Skalland blasted a three-run home run that gave Scotts Valley a brief lead in the bottom of the fourth.
With the game tied at 4-all, Alisal’s Brooklyn Smith delivered a two-run shot to left field for the go-ahead runs.
Scotts Valley (0-3) will begin SCCAL play against Soquel on Thursday at 4pm, and will compete in the Watsonville High Tournament on Saturday.
