The Amador Valley High School boysà tennis team took to the courts Feb. 23 in cold, damp and windy weather to defend the championship they won last year at the James Logan Invitational Tournament. In two days of highly competitive matches, they defeated Moreau Catholic 5-2, Marin Academy 5-1 and James Logan 6-1.
In the championship match against San Ramon Valley, Amador trailed 3-1 after four matches. In tough, emotion-filled singles matches, Luke Wagner, Billy Warm and Greg Vuoto each won their match before a cheering crowd of spectators, mostly from Pleasanton.
“All of our guys played like champions today,” said Coach Bill Nandor.
Singles players were Aswin Kolady, Wagner, Billy Warm and Vuoto. Playing doubles were Harry Luce, William Tom, Raj Setlur, Eric Nunn, Justin Odisho, Carl Kish and A. J. Gorton.
The win continues great play from earlier in the week as they beat out last year’s NCS champs Alameda 4-3 in their second preseason game. Coach Nandor said both Alameda and Amador were missing one of their top players (including AVHS’ Warm), with Alameda leading three matches to AVHS’ two, sophomore Vuoto won a closely fought match winning both tie break sets 7-6,7-6. With the overall score now at 3-3, attention–and the crowd–shifted to the final varsity match. In an emotional and thrilling three setter, Odisho and Gorton won their match 6-2,3-6,11-9 to clinch a well-earned Amador Valley victory. The JV team also won 4-0.
“All the boys, varsity and JV played tough, gut-check tennis in cold and windy conditions to bring home the victory,” Nandor said.
TV Red Sox earn runners up trophy
The Tri-Valley Red Sox 14U team received the runner up trophy in the President’s Day Super NIT Tournament in Manteca. The journey included a nail-biting win (2-1) over the Pirates, to advance to the final round of the tournament. Justin Brunnett hit a spectacular home run to put the first run on the board. Under pressure, Tyler Cook came through with the RBI to win the game. Pitchers Cook, Greg Shehtanian, Troy Stetson, Jack Pilling, and Drake Rivenes held the Pirates to only one run. The championship ended up in a rematch against the Lookouts. Excellent infield defensive plays by Ryan Kochan, Sean Gallagher and Keaton Housman, with outfield plays by Aaron Hafford and Jackson Zarubin kept the game competitive. The Lookouts defeated the Red Sox in the final championship game (6 to 4) to give the Red Sox the runner up trophy, placing the team as the fourth seed in the Triple AAA category for Northern California.Seventh-grade girls CCOP are league champs
In the 2006-2007 Tri-Valley League National Division Champions, the Catholic Community of Pleasanton (CCOP) seventh-grade girls (#7005) defeated St. Isidore (#7006) to win the playoff championship game 25-20 last Sunday. It was an all-out team effort by CCOP both offensively and defensively. A low scoring game at the half, 4-4, was attributed to the quick defensive moves by Jessica Morosoli, Vivian Hare, Emily Alberts and Kelly Parsons. Blocks under the hoop by Michelle Mann kept a tall St. Isidore’s team under control. CCOP went on to outscore St. Isidore 21-16 in the second half. The high scorer was Lauren MacDonnell (11 points) with teammates Lyndsay Godwin (eight points, six rebounds), Nicole Ponzini (four points, seven rebounds) and Sydney Okumura (two points, eight rebounds) contributing to the final score. Thanks to all the coaches, Mike, Dave and Curtis for a well coached season, and an 11-1 record.Pleasanton Beaver baseball take second
The Pleasanton Beavers placed second at the PresidentÃs Day Weekend USSSA NIT Championship travel ball tournament with a loaded field of teams representing California and Nevada.The Beavers were paced by the All-Tourney selections of Zakary Harrison and Collin Miller. The team is comprised of members representing each of PleasantonÃs four organized leagues: Harrison, Mason Behiel, Bryce Hahn, and Bryan Bottero representing the Pleasanton National Little League while Miller, along with Will Pickett, Michael Bretones, and Jake McIntosh represents the Pleasanton American Little League.
Foothill Little League was represented by Morgan Johnston and Ruben Mercado and Pleasanton Pony was represented by Andrew Crabill and Andy Duran.
In addition to their AllñTourney selections, the Beavers were led by the hitting of McIntosh, the base running and scoring prowess of Bottero and a key game blasting triple by Hahn that put the team into the championship finals.
Bretones, Harrison, Mercado, Pickett and Behiel each had a hand in the pitching staffÃs very low ERA during the three-day weekend.
Manager Terry Duran was pleased with the teams overall effort and also had high praise for his coaching staff consisting of Robert Harrison, Matt Bottero, Alberto Mercado and Dave Behiel.
“All in all, we not only met but we exceeded our objectives heading into this highly competitive tournament,” Duran said. “We wanted the kids to experience playing against top-notch competition and having them prepared to hit their local leagues in mid season form.”
In addition he added, “the second place finish was a testament to the kids desire to excel and a fitting close to our NIT Championship showing.”
The Beavers are sponsored by Pat McCoy and his Complete Home Repair Construction Company based out of our neighboring Fremont.
