The Pioneer High School boys varsity tennis team won four Golden Empire League matches in a row last week while overcoming warmer temperatures that caused cramps, headaches and stomach aches.
The Patriots (12-6, 12-2 GEL) traveled across town on Tuesday afternoon to play Woodland and Rio Linda, with the latter sending only one player. Pioneer beat the Wolves 7-2 and the Knights 9-0.
Woodland’s top player, junior Owen Harrison, beat Patriots freshman Marlon Estrella 6-0, 6-3 in No. 2 seed singles.
“Marlon was really struggling that day and I’m not sure why,” recalled Pioneer coach Marcail McWilliams. “He was hitting a lot into the net or out. Marlon has taken lessons for a while but competition is still new for him so he can look really tight sometimes when he competes. I was hoping he would do better this time against Owen but not this time.”
In No. 1 overall singles, Pioneer senior Trevor Harryman beat Rio Linda senior Kenya Ho 6-4, 7-5.
“Trevor won in spite of needing a short medical time out because of a stomach ache,” McWilliams stated. “He wasn’t exactly sure why it was hurting so bad but I think a combination of spicy chicken nuggets for lunch, plus warmer temperatures, didn’t mix for him that day.”
Patriots junior Santiago Rocha battled against Wolves junior Isaias Vega in third seed singles and won 4-6, 7-6 (8-6), 1-0 (10-7).
“I really like that Santi does not give up,” McWilliams proclaimed. “He knows how to stay patient and I can see him trying to keep errors low when he’s in a pressure situation like this.”
In No. 4 singles, Pioneer senior Luke Carolan beat Woodland junior Brodie Weichel 2-6, 6-6 (9-7), 1-0 (10-6).
“It was great that Luke found himself in the second set, he was struggling to win the rallies in the first set so it did not seem like it would go his way, but then he was still playing after a number of matches had cleared off their courts,” McWilliams recalled. “It was his best match of the season!”
Patriots junior Oswoldo Gomez defeated Woodland junior Logan Jimenez 6-2, 6-1 in fifth-seeded singles. In the final singles matchup, Pioneer freshman Damian Trojanowski won 2-6, 7-6 (10-7), 1-0 (10-8).
“Damian’s match was his best ever, he ran down every ball and totally gave it his all,” McWilliams stated. “WHS’ coach commented, ‘I love how he smiles while he plays,’ and it’s true. Damian is eating up this sport and I’m super proud of his eagerness to learn and grow in the game. He recruited all his friends when we were short players earlier in the season, he has been an invaluable addition to the team!
“Sometimes before the match, while the teams are announcing our lineups, the guys will come up with nicknames for each other and Damian has been announced as ‘Damian, friends with all freshmen, Trojanowski!’”
In a “nail-biter” top seed doubles match, Patriots seniors Luke Pool and Ben Quiogue were defeated 4-6, 6-4, 1-0 (10-5) by the Wolves junior duo of Alexander Gonzalez and Cody Raubach.
“Ben and Luke did not look like they were playing their best. We made too many errors and they felt frustrated after the match,” McWilliams recalled. “Sometimes it’s like that, one day you’re hitting the ball great, the next you can’t hit a barn and it’s frustrating, but we keep coming back! The days when everything clicks into place are amazing!”
Back at home on Thursday, Pioneer earned a forfeit victory against Dixon and hosted four players from Casa Roble, ultimately taking the win 6-3.
Trojanowski competed in top seed singles versus freshman Dilyn Nebeker and lost 3-6, 4-6.
“Dilyn has developed a great put away shot where he hits the ball hard at the opponent’s feet,” McWilliams stated.
In a freshmen faceoff at No. 2 singles, Ben Avalos lost 1-6, 6-3, 0-1 (7-10) versus Jayden Delzer from Casa Roble.
“It was a great match for him! I’m very proud of how he did against someone who is more experienced than him,” McWilliams recalled. “Both other times this season, Jayden has played my No. 8, Brandon Chen, and had a similar score of three sets and tiebreakers. I feel like that shows potential in Ben to keep it up and get better!”
Freshman Mudasser Ahmed bested junior Juan Diaz 6-2, 6-3 in third seeded singles.
“This was his first match ever but he did great,” McWilliams stated. “Juan is developing a great serve, so when it went in, it was usually an ace, but it is not consistent, so Mudasser was able to capitalize on those points and get the win.”
Finally, in No. 4 singles, freshman Azan Akram lost 5-7, 4-6 to sophomore Miles Mireles-Waits.
The Patriots conclude the regular season this week with their final GEL match, at Mira Loma on Tuesday afternoon, and at River City in West Sacramento on Friday at 4 p.m.
