Coach Ray “Slash” Vazquez told his players Wednesday that the next day’s showdown at Villanova would be the most significant boys tennis match Bishop Diego has played in three years.
“I told my three seniors that this season is the last time to do anything competitive in their high school careers, and they really responded,” said Vazquez.
Those seniors went 6-0 on the day as the Cardinals got some payback against the Wildcats in a 13-5 victory, avenging a 10-8 loss on the very same courts last week. Thursday’s result puts Bishop and Villanova in a tie for the Frontier League’s top spot, as both squads are now 4-1 in the conference.
Bishop’s top singles player, senior Jordan Ekola, had lost to Villanova’s No. 1 player by a wide margin in last week’s match, but bounced back and won all three of his sets Thursday.
“The way he goes we go… I think he’s the best player in the league,” said Vazquez.
Matthew Grimes went 2-1 and was just two points from also sweeping.
With Nolan Tisdale back at the No. 3 spot after being out sick in the previous loss, Nick Mathis got to re-join partner Sean Strathford-Jones and the duo went 3-0. Seniors RJ Escamilla and Art Gonzalez did the same for the Cardinals, who have been in the weightroom 45 minutes each day during practice.
The Cardinals (4-4, 4-1) play Santa Clara on Tuesday and then cycle through the 4-team league once more, with the final match against Villanova possibly being for the conference crown.
BISHOP DIEGO 13, VILLANOVA 5
Singles – BD: Jordan Ekola 3-0, Matthew Grimes 2-1, Nolan Tisdale 1-2. V: Patrick Lenz 2-1, Wyatt Oroke 1-2, Matthew Beiner 0-3.
Doubles – BD: Sean Strathford-Jones-Nick Mathis 3-0, RJ Escamilla-Art Gonzalez 3-0, Nick Lensander-Tim Illgen 1-2. V: Salar Gagiskry-Tyler Harder 1-2, Brennan Hernandez-Tony Kuo 0-3, Sean McAfee-Evan Bernhoft 1-2.
