Tigers come so close in wild Division III tennis final as Yosemite High prevails

By Ed Martin, Editor
Spencer Denney has his eye on the ball in Wednesday's Division III tennis match final.
Spencer Denney has his eye on the ball in Wednesday's Division III tennis match final.
Gary Feinstein/Feinsteinfotos

The stage was set. It was a near perfect day to play tennis. A contingent of proud, vocal Lemoore students sat nearby, on a hillside marked by the school’s monument sign – a concrete monolith spelling out the school’s initials. They began the match by cheering every point and every ace delivered by the Tigers’ top payer, Spencer Denney in his opening match.

Spencer Denney (left) and Earl Magno won their doubles match to stay alive against Yosemite High in Wednesday's Division III title match.
Spencer Denney (left) and Earl Magno won their doubles match to stay alive against Yosemite High in Wednesday's Division III title match.
Gary Feinstein/Feinsteinfotos

In the end, Lemoore’s talented athletes came within two points of winning a championship, before a resurgent Yosemite stormed from behind to snatch victory from defeat.

Wednesday’s tennis finale was the match of the year for Lemoore’s talented players. Win this match, and Lemoore High School reigns as the best Division III tennis team in the Central Section. Unfortunately, it all came down to the final doubles match, and Yosemite, which entered the Division III finale unbeaten, prevailed, winning the coveted valley title.

Lemoore found itself perilously close to exiting early, that is until Matt Crisci delivered an impressive performance in his singles’ match, winning a tiebreaker, which allowed the Tigers to advance to doubles play, thus preserving their shot at a championship.

Crisci lost his opener 3-6 but rebounded for a 6-4 victory. He preserved his team’s hopes with a 10-5 tiebreak win.

Denney lost his opening set 4-6 but rebounded to beat Yosemite’s best player, Tyler Hellwig, 6-3 in the second. Hellwig, however, prevailed in the end, beating the talented Tiger 7-10 in the deciding match. But Denney and doubles partner Earl Magno got the best of Hellwig in doubles action as the dynamic Tiger duo prevailed 6-2, 0-6, 10-5.

Big matches bring out fans. Kings County Supervisor Joe Neves was in attendance with his spouse Kathy, a former Lemoore High board member. Superintendent, Debbie Muro was there, slapping high fives, talking to students, and watching Lemoore’s players take on the best in the Central Valley.

It took nearly four hours with Tigers and Badgers duking it out to the end, but Yosemite finally prevailed in the afternoon’s final doubles match.

Lemoore's tennis team with the runner-up trophy Wednesday afternoon.
Lemoore's tennis team with the runner-up trophy Wednesday afternoon.
Gary Feinstein/Feinsteinfotos

The Tigers and Badgers were tied at four games apiece when Yosemite’s doubles team of Burke Stewart and Colby Stewart prevailed over Lemoore’s Collin Bresenio and Matt Crisci, beating the Tiger duo in a 10-6 tiebreaker to win the set, the match, and the Division III valley championship.

“It was 4-4 in the match, and it came down to the tiebreak,” said Tiger Coach Carly Bow. “They were up in the tiebreak 8-5, so we only needed two points to their five points. They literally lost the next five points in a row. We were within two points of winning the championship.”

After Denney and Magno fended off their challengers, Mathew Ramirez and Pete Hawken won their doubles match 6-2, 6-3 to keep Lemoore’s hope for a title very much alive.

“It could have gone either way,” said Bow. “We came out of singles 2-4. We had to win all three doubles matches. We were right there, and we couldn’t finish.”

Bow is proud of this year’s team. “Overall the season was a roller coaster. I scheduled a tough preseason this year. I thought we should be in the final.” said the confident coach. “There were some tough ones along the way.  It was a very good season, and as they headed into the playoffs, they became extremely focused. They did exactly what they needed to do.” 

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