Saratoga News

Falcons scare Matadors, beat Vikings

By Dick Sparrer

Peter Rickgauer and Jason Hou each won twice in singles play, but the Saratoga boys' tennis could manage just a split last week in the De Anza Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League. But it still was quite a week for the Falcons--not so much because of their 5-2 win over Lynbrook but because of their near upset against powerful Monta Vista.

The Matadors had strung together nine straight wins to open the 1998 season, and Saratoga would be No. 10. But the Falcons gave those Matadors all they could handle before falling 4-3 in the league match.

Monta Vista is the defending league and Central Coast Section champion, the Mats are expected to repeat in the De Anza Division and contend for another CCS crown this season. But Saratoga came within a match of halting Monta Vista's win streak.

Rickgauer, a senior, cruised to a 6-3, 6-2 win at No. 2 singles, and Hou, a junior, nailed a 6-3, 6-3 victory at No. 4 singles.

The Falcons trailed just 3-2 after five singles matches and needed to win twice in doubles play.

Senior Paul Chen and junior Scott Swanberg combined for an exciting three-set victory at No. 2 doubles, winning 6-0, 3-6, 6-2, but Saratoga lost at No. 1 doubles. Still, it was a moral victory for the Falcons, who gave the unbeaten Matadors all they could handle and then some.

The Falcons came back with a 5-2 win over Lynbrook later in the week to push their league record to 3-2.

Rickgauer pulled out an 0-6, 7-6, 6-4 win at No. 2 singles, and junior Brian Doore won 7-5, 0-6, 6-2 at No. 3 singles. Hou came through with a solid 6-4, 6-2 win at No. 4 singles, and senior Neil Godbole won 6-3, 6-2 at No. 5. Chen and Swanberg teamed to win 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 at No. 2 doubles to round out the list of Saratoga winners.

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