Bonanza, Gorman meet for 4A state tennis crown

Adam Candee

Friday, Oct. 24, 2003 | 10:26 a.m.

Both on the court and in their heads, the Bonanza boys' tennis team found itself in its most difficult battles of the season Thursday at Meadows School.

The two-time state champion Bengals (SS-1) needed all their skills and composure to defeat Reno (N-1), 29-16, in the semifinals of the 4A State Tournament.

"We pulled it out," Bonanza coach Rick Niemczewski said. "I'm proud of the guys. It was the toughest match all year."

Alec Runyon and Jon Ribaste went 3-0 in doubles, while Lenny Whiting turned in a 3-0 singles effort to pace the Bengals. Bonanza still felt it was in a struggle against the Huskies, though, and the Bengals are happy to be done with the North's top seed.

The biggest challenge for Bonanza may have been remaining calm when Bengals' players felt that Reno players were aiming at them with their hits. Niemczewski quickly worked to calm his players after one brief verbal exchange and the coach said that Bonanza's success can make it a target at times.

"Everyone is looking at us," Niemczewski said. "We're the favorite. I spoke to my guys about handling themselves as gentlemen."

Runyon acknowledged that play became heated toward the end of the matches.

"Emotions started kicking in," Runyon said.

Bonanza takes on Bishop Gorman (SS-2) for the state title this morning. The Gaels downed Coronado (SR-1), 30-15, to advance to the championship match. Skylar Gonzalez and Eugene Lee went 3-0 in doubles for the Gaels.

The final is a rematch of the Sunset Region championship, in which Bonanza ripped through the Gaels, 45-0. Bonanza is guarding against overconfidence today after such a through defeat of Gorman last week.

"We're confident going in because we beat them pretty soundly, but we still have to go in and play well," Runyon said.

On the girls' side, Palo Verde (SS-1) and Coronado (SR-1) square off for the state title.

The Panthers beat Reno (N-1), 26-19, to advance. Behind the strong efforts of the teams of Bre Moyle and Candynce Boney, and Ashley Johannes and Katie Braganza, Palo Verde won all but one doubles match.

Coronado moved forward by besting Bonanza (SS-2), 28-17. Ellen Mueller won her three singles matches and the team of Estefania Serrano and Kristi Rabin went 3-0 in doubles.

The individual singles and doubles tournaments also begin today at Meadows at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., respectively.