Fallbrook splits first round of league play

After the first round of Valley League girls tennis matches Fallbrook High School's team held a 2-2 record.

"Being 2-2 right now is probably where we belong," said Fallbrook coach Bill Lenaway.

League play for Fallbrook began Sept. 12 with a match against Ramona at the Fallbrook Tennis Club. The Bulldogs returned home with a 14-4 victory.

"They were a little more experienced," said Lenaway of the Ramona players.

Fallbrook's Sept. 18 match at Escondido was an 11-7 Warriors triumph.

"They put their stronger players in doubles," Lenaway said. "My singles players had no problems with them."

Although the Cougars won seven of the nine doubles sets, Fallbrook swept the singles portion of the match. Makena Larson, Alexa Guadarrama and Nicole Dulin each won all three of their singles sets.

A Sept. 20 trip to San Pasqual resulted in the Golden Eagles prevailing by a 17-1 score.

"They were significantly better than us," said Lenaway of San Pasqual. "They're a very good team."

The Fallbrook Tennis Club was the site of the Sept. 25 match between the Warriors and Valley Center.

"We had a solid win," said Lenaway of Fallbrook's 16-2 victory over Valley Center.

In addition to Larson, Guadarrama and Dulin posting three singles wins apiece, the Warriors' No. 1 doubles team of Gabbi Bulli and Vronnie Serrano won all three of their sets.

"We're not trying to make up for anybody we don't have," said Lenaway. "We play with what we have. We're working hard and they're learning to compete better."

Lenaway is thus not disappointed with a 2-2 record for the first round of league play.

"I'm more encouraged," he said.

Last year the Warriors had a 1-7 record in league play. The sole win was against Escondido; each team won nine sets and the Warriors were awarded the match victory on the tiebreaking criteria of games won.

"I think we've made a lot of growth and for the most part the girls who are playing for me are pretty dedicated and pretty hard-working," Lenaway said.