Saratoga News

Behnke leads Falcons to back-to-back wins

By Dick Sparrer

Camille Behnke was unbeatable--heck, she was darn close to perfect.

And because of it, the Saratoga girls' tennis team was able to cruise to a pair of victories last week in the De Anza Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League.

Behnke gave up just a single point in two matches to post back-to-back victories at No. 2 singles to help the Falcons to wins over Lynbrook and Monta Vista.

But it wasn't just the Saratoga sophomore who was stingy with the points last week. Junior Robin Katzman gave up just four points in two wins at No. 1 singles, and senior Nicole Benhke allowed just three in a couple of victories at No. 3 singles.

Add to that a pair of wins at No. 4 singles by junior Carolyn Hooper, and it's easy to figure how the Falcons devastated the Vikings and Matadors.

Saratoga blanked Lynbrook 7-0 to open the week. Katzman posted a 6-2, 6-0 win at No. 1 singles and C. Behnke won 6-0, 6-0 at No. 2 singles. N. Behnke added a 6-0, 6-1 win at No. 3 singles, and Hooper won 6-3, 6-2 at No. 4.

Juniors Lindsay Lightbody and Kelly Pisani teamed for a 6-2, 6-1 win at No. 1 doubles to start a Saratoga sweep in doubles play.

Later in the week, Katzman won 6-0, 6-2, C. Behnke 6-1, 6-0, N. Behnke 6-0, 6-2 and Hooper 6-0, 6-3 in a 6-1 victory over Monta Vista.

Angela Chua and Jennifer Chao combined for a 6-4, 6-2 win at No. 2 doubles for the Falcons.

Saratoga improved to 12-1 in the De Anza Division with the two wins. The Falcons are now 16-1 for the year.

A week earlier, Malea Doore posted a 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 1 singles and C. Behnke won by default at No. 3 to lead the Falcons past Homesttead 6-1. Chua posted a tight 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (10-8) win at No. 4 singles and Lightbody and Pisani won 6-3, 6-4 at No. 1 doubles.

Field Hockey

Ashley Babb knocked in a first-half goal to lead the Saratoga girls' field hockey team to a tight 1-0 win over Leland. The Falcons, 5-3 in the Santa Teresa Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League and 13-2-1 for the year, had lost a 3-2 heartbreaker to Willow Glen to open the week.

Football

The rivalry returns when the Saratoga and Los Gatos football teams collide at Helm Field on Nov. 8, 7:30 p.m.

The Falcons head into the game with a 2-2 record in the De Anza Division after edging Palo Alto 7-0 last weekend. Saratoga is 5-2 for the year.

The Cats are coming off a 30-24 win over Milpitas. They are 2-2 in the division and 4-4 for the year.

Westmont lost 19-9 to Willow Glen to fall to 3-2 in division play and to 3-5 for the year, and Prospect beat Yerba Buena 29-8 to improve to 3-2 in division play and to 5-3 for the year.

The Panthers will host Hill on Nov. 8, 2:45 p.m.; the Warriors will host San Jose the same day at 7 p.m.