Cate boys tennis outlasted Santa Barbara High for a 10-8 win in a local showdown to open the CIF-SS Div. 3 playoffs on Wednesday in Carpinteria.
The No. 4-seeded Rams, who won the CIF-SS Div. 3 title last season, will now head down to Claremont to take on Webb High in Round 2 on Friday at 3 p.m.
Cate’s strong singles effort led the way, collecting seven of the nine possible singles points and adding three wins in doubles action en route to the playoff victory.
“Cate was fortunate to get through to the next round, with Santa Barbara putting up a great fight on every line,” Cate head coach Lance Kronberg said.
Kakeru Hirofuji dominated singles for the Rams with a 3-0 sweep, while Bruce Li and Andrew Jayich each went 2-1.
On the other side, Beckett McManigal earned both of the Santa Barbara High singles points.
Meanwhile, the Santa Barbara High duos of Lucas Forry/Elio Taha and Huxley McGetrick/Taisei Lopez each swept their matchups to pull in six team points.
As for Cate’s doubles attack, James He/Kenny Wang, Kaden Greene/Kendrick Suen and Graham Clinger/Alex Danely tallied one win apiece.
San Marcos 18, Rancho Mirage 0 (Div. 5)
The Royals cruised to a lopsided win over Rancho Mirage on Wednesday in the CIF-SS Div. 5 playoff opener in Santa Barbara.
San Marcos now has a road matchup with Temple City for the second round on Friday at 3 p.m.
Hudson Chossek led the singles sweep wth a trio of wins and just two games lost, while the pairing of Will Schneider and Dylan Cotich did the same in doubles.
Golden Valley 10, Laguna Blanca 8 (Div. 5)
The Owls had their season come to a close in a tight loss in their Div. 5 first-round matchup on Wednesday in Santa Barbara.
Laguna Blanca ends the season with a 9-5 overall record, including a third-place finish in the Tri-Valley League.
Garden Grove 9, Carpinteria High 9 (GG wins in games, 78-66) (Div. 6)
The Warriors came up just short against Garden Grove to begin the CIF-SS Div. 6 postseason on Wednesday in Garden Grove.
“I think we did almost everything right, but it just was a tough way to lose,” Carpinteria High head coach Charles Bryant said. “Garden Grove was a solid team from a good tennis area, and we knew we would have to play well to advance. It was a somber time, but the boys really overachieved this season and were so close to advancing today.
“They were fighters throughout the year and always stayed positive in when things went south. I am very proud of their accomplishments and how they competed today. Their reflections after the match and how they spoke about each other and the team were truly heartfelt.”
The Carpinteria duo of Servando Campuzano/Ethan Almgren continued its stellar season with a 3-0 day, while John Morrison/Tiago El-Aaidi went 2-1 and Kamran Dadvar/Hayden Nordholm picked up one win.
Meanwhile, the lone singles points for the Warriors came on a 3-0 sweep courtesy of Edwin Hernandez.
“Unfortunately, it was a very tough way to lose, but it is even tougher that we will lose our three seniors, Servando Campuzano, Edwin Hernandez and Kamran Dadvar,” Bryant said. “Their improvement over the years and their impact on the team is second to none.
“The good news is that Edwin will still compete in singles in the CIF Sectionals, as will Servando and Ethan in doubles.”
Laguna Blanca has not submitted information.