Mighty Santa Barbara HIgh was knocked out of the Division I playoffs in upset fashion on Tuesday, as the third-ranked Dons took to the road and suffered a 10-8 quarterfinal loss at the hands of the Mater Dei Monarchs.
The difference came in the day’s final two doubles sets, in which the Monarchs served first and stayed up for 7-5 victories. In all, Mater Dei won the doubles side 6-3. Spencer Simon was 3-0 on the singles side for Santa Barbara and Channel League-champ Chase Melton went 2-1 but unfortunately suffered an injury that will keep him out of the Individual Sectionals in Carpinteria on Friday.
Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Player of the Year Billy Grokenberger and partner Dan Diaz were 2-1 in doubles play, while Evan Teufel and Chris Williams picked up the Dons’ other set on the tandem side.
Melton’s injury creates a slight shuffle for Friday’s doubles competition, as SImon will team up with Teuful and Diaz will play Williams.
MATER DEI 10, SANTA BARBARA 8
Singles — SB: Chase Melton 2-1, Jimy Vaughan 0-3, Spencer Simon 3-0. MD: Chris Freeman 2-1, Charly Alvarado 1-2, Mick Pacarelli 1-2.
Doubles — SB: Billy Grokenberger-Dan Diaz 2-1, Evan Teufel-Chris Williams 1-2, Christian Wheeler-Matt Demopoulos 0-2. MD: E.J. Chomeau-Evan McNerney 1-2, Omeed Ghassemi-Trevor Zaret 2-1, John Hoang-Freddie Hebayani 3-0.
Records — SB 15-4, MD 21-4.
