The coast is far from clear for East Union High’s boys tennis team, but the Lancers are liking the spot they’re in at the moment.
Coupled with rival Manteca High’s upset loss to Kimball Tuesday, East Union now has a two-match lead in the Valley Oak League after shutting out host Weston Ranch, 5-0.
On Friday, East Union (9-0, 12-0 overall) edged out Manteca 8-7 to stand alone at the top after the final match of the first round of conference play for both teams. Manteca is the defending VOL champion, and winners of three of the last four titles.
“When we beat Manteca the kids were pumped and excited, and we took a little bit of time to celebrate our undefeated first half,” East Union coach Ron Bylow said. “Now we’re working even harder as we go into the second half, because the guys realize it’s a long season. Each match is going to be tough with the five-point (format) in play now.”
“We didn’t want to take anything for granted against Weston Ranch because they played Manteca pretty tough the last time they faced each other.”
The Lancers had it won early.
Ricky Peloso dominated the No. 1 singles match en route to a 6-1, 6-1 win, and No. 3 Brandon Manville swept for a 6-2, 6-3 victory. East Union’s No. 1 doubles team of Matt Eichsteadt and Chris Garcia cruised, 6-3, 6-3.
The other two matches were well-contested. At No. 2 singles, Ariel Rosette prevailed 5-7, 6-3, 6-4; and the newly-formed No. 2 doubles pair of Marcos Aleman and Michael Banzon gutted out a 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 win.
It doesn’t get any easier for EU, which hosts Kimball Thursday before its April 12 rematch at Manteca.
The deciding point came at No. 2 doubles, where Marcus Munoz and Sam Dhaliwal lost 3-6, 7-5, 4-6.
Freshman Jacob Webb also dropped a three-set heartbreaker, falling to Kevin Sung 1-6, 6-4, 3-6 at No. 3 singles. Kimball standout Logan Staggs blanked Alex Barragan.
Xavier Lopez earned a point for Manteca (7-2, 11-11) with a 6-0, 6-1 victory, while undefeated doubles teammates Max Angelo and Oral Nunis coasted, 6-1, 6-1.
“We can’t seem to pull out the close ones,” Manteca coach Frank Fontana said. “Now we need some help to get part of the league title, but we have to do our part as well.”
The Timberwolves (5-4) got dominant play all around and were led by 6-0, 6-0 shutouts from No.1 singles Kevin Rausa and No. 3 Greg Blockinger. Forest Tolman won his singles match, 6-0, 6-1.
At doubles, Joel Boling and Jimmy Deng put together a 6-1, 6-1 victory. The most competitive contest was played at No. 2 doubles, where Austin Vietor and Joseph Berry defeated Arvin Aragon and John Paul Bugay, 6-4, 6-2.
Coupled with rival Manteca High’s upset loss to Kimball Tuesday, East Union now has a two-match lead in the Valley Oak League after shutting out host Weston Ranch, 5-0.
On Friday, East Union (9-0, 12-0 overall) edged out Manteca 8-7 to stand alone at the top after the final match of the first round of conference play for both teams. Manteca is the defending VOL champion, and winners of three of the last four titles.
“When we beat Manteca the kids were pumped and excited, and we took a little bit of time to celebrate our undefeated first half,” East Union coach Ron Bylow said. “Now we’re working even harder as we go into the second half, because the guys realize it’s a long season. Each match is going to be tough with the five-point (format) in play now.”
“We didn’t want to take anything for granted against Weston Ranch because they played Manteca pretty tough the last time they faced each other.”
The Lancers had it won early.
Ricky Peloso dominated the No. 1 singles match en route to a 6-1, 6-1 win, and No. 3 Brandon Manville swept for a 6-2, 6-3 victory. East Union’s No. 1 doubles team of Matt Eichsteadt and Chris Garcia cruised, 6-3, 6-3.
The other two matches were well-contested. At No. 2 singles, Ariel Rosette prevailed 5-7, 6-3, 6-4; and the newly-formed No. 2 doubles pair of Marcos Aleman and Michael Banzon gutted out a 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 win.
It doesn’t get any easier for EU, which hosts Kimball Thursday before its April 12 rematch at Manteca.
Kimball 3, Manteca 2
The deciding point came at No. 2 doubles, where Marcus Munoz and Sam Dhaliwal lost 3-6, 7-5, 4-6.
Freshman Jacob Webb also dropped a three-set heartbreaker, falling to Kevin Sung 1-6, 6-4, 3-6 at No. 3 singles. Kimball standout Logan Staggs blanked Alex Barragan.
Xavier Lopez earned a point for Manteca (7-2, 11-11) with a 6-0, 6-1 victory, while undefeated doubles teammates Max Angelo and Oral Nunis coasted, 6-1, 6-1.
“We can’t seem to pull out the close ones,” Manteca coach Frank Fontana said. “Now we need some help to get part of the league title, but we have to do our part as well.”
Sierra 5, Lathrop 0
The Timberwolves (5-4) got dominant play all around and were led by 6-0, 6-0 shutouts from No.1 singles Kevin Rausa and No. 3 Greg Blockinger. Forest Tolman won his singles match, 6-0, 6-1.
At doubles, Joel Boling and Jimmy Deng put together a 6-1, 6-1 victory. The most competitive contest was played at No. 2 doubles, where Austin Vietor and Joseph Berry defeated Arvin Aragon and John Paul Bugay, 6-4, 6-2.
