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Freshman mixed doubles team sends RC to Section semifinals
Bear River-Ripon Christian coed tennis
Alyssa Bakker reaches for the forehand shot as Ripon Christian No. 2 doubles partner Brynn Bohn backs her up Friday against Bear River. - photo by JONAMAR JACINTO/The Bulletin

With second-seeded Ripon Christian winning all four boys matches and visiting Bear River taking all four girls contests in a Sac-Joaquin Section Division II coed tennis playoff opener Friday at Acacia Park, it came down to mixed doubles.

The freshman tandem of Alton Mensonides and Tatum Sonke took care of business, defeating Jack Woody and Jude Slater, 6-1, 6-2. The Knights’ 5-

Bear River-Ripon Christian coed tennis
Ripon Christian mixed doubles player Alton Mensonides gets aggressive at the net during the Knights’ Sac-Joaquin Section Division II opener with Bear River. - photo by JONAMAR JACINTO/The Bulletin
4 win sets them up with a semifinal against No. 3 Amador. The Buffaloes visit on Monday after waxing No. 6 Turlock Christian, 9-0.

Jaden Bohn (6-0, 6-1) and Drew Meester (6-1, 6-1) dominated the boys singles matches. Derek Van Elderen and Peter VanderMuelen prevailed 6-1, 6-3 at No. 1 boys doubles. Logan Pollard and Sam Roos took the second doubles match, 6-1, 6-0.

Josie Bohn (1-6, 1-6) and Ellie Dyt (4-6, 0-6) were swept in the girls singles matches. Seventh-seeded Bear River had a tougher time in doubles play, however.

No. 1 girls doubles was the only match to be decided in three sets. Ripon Christian’s Maya DeJong and Ruth Visser fell short against Shannon Rodriguez and Faith Johnson, 6-3, 4-6, 3-10.

The No. 2 duo of Alyssa Baker and Brynn Bohn threatened to force a third set but was fended off by Olivia Hurr and Jillian Kodia, 5-7, 6-7 (4).

Ripon Christian is a win away from reaching the Section final for a second straight year. Last season, they made it to the title round for the first time in 33 years.