By Mighty Chen
Citizen Sports Intern
It all down to this last tiebreaker: 4-4. 4-5. 5-5. As they
rallied against each other, Pleasant Grove’s Ken Nguyen
and Sheldon’s Michael Voong were neck to
neck in their singles tennis match on Mon, Apr. 18.
“Nice shot,” Nguyen said, every time his opponent scored.
The two battled in the 90-degree heat as Pleasant Grove coach Adam
Harris commented about the season.
“It’s a very strange season this year,” he stated. “Davis and
Jesuit at the top, and have beaten us 9-0 each time. Then we have Pleasant
Grove and Franklin in the middle.”
 |
| Michael Voong |
Franklin beat Pleasant Grove 7-2 on March 28, and Harris is
waiting for his chance repay the favor, lest there be consequences.
“If we don’t beat Franklin 7-2 like they beat us, then we’re going to be in fourth place,” Harris explained.
He also added that the team needed to improve their movement on
the court after hitting or returning a ball.
“Many of us just sit there
watching as if we’re a spectator, instead of
getting back and ready for our opponent to return the ball,” Harris pointed out. He noted that his players lose precious
seconds when they’re not ready.
“It’s one of the biggest things plaguing the team,” he added.
Harris also described this season’s struggle
to try to bond the team together. The top twelve boys on the team rarely
communicate with the ten lower-tier players, creating a division in the team.
“They don’t really see eye to eye, or even talk,” he said. “The top
players need to take someone underneath their wing and start teaching them
tennis.”
Harris tries to encourage a team-oriented attitude in the boys.
When he gets the chance, Harris plays doubles with one of the boys,
exemplifying how to be a team sport.
He particularly mentioned Kenneth Xiong and Jack Gallagher who
come in on time to help the coach set up for practices and matches.
“[Jack] always thanks me after
every practice and every match, and nobody else really does that,” Harris explained.
Ken Nguyen and Michael Voong switched positions one last time.
These last swings determined the winner. It was Voong who took the match.
 |
| Ken Nguyen |
Sheldon took the team win against Pleasant Grove 5-4, but Nguyen
wasn’t upset. He shook Voong’s hand, smiled, and said sincerely, “Great game, man.”
Nguyen shared his thoughts through the last few strokes of the
match and advised fellow players about close matches.
“Stay focused. Stay calm. Don’t get distracted. If you get angry or frustrated, you can’t play your best.”
The Delta League’s
post-season begins on Monday, Apr. 25 with the League Singles Championships at
Laguna Creek Racquet Club. The doubles league championship will be played at
the same location on Wednesday, Apr. 27.
Thursday's Scoreboard
College Baseball -
Cosumnes River 8, Sierra College 1
Cosumnes River 8, Sierra College 1
College Softball -
Cosumnes River 2, Sierra College 1
Sierra College 2, Cosumnes River 0
Cosumnes River 2, Sierra College 1
Sierra College 2, Cosumnes River 0
Track and Field -
Boys – Davis 85, Monterey Trail 45
Girls – Davis 85, Monterey Trail 51
Jesuit 94, Pleasant Grove 37
St. Francis 100, Pleasant Grove 36
St. Francis 100, Pleasant Grove 36
Boys Golf -
Delta League Center Match II
Jesuit 358
Davis 368
Elk Grove 393
Franklin 408
Pleasant Grove 409
Sheldon 489
Monterey Trail 594
Medalist – David Laskin (Jesuit) 66
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