Much has gone Menlo-Atherton’s way during a solid tennis season that saw the Bears win a sixth straight PAL Bay Division title while finishing 17-4 overall. On Monday night, good news for Menlo-Atherton continued at the Central Coast Section seeding meeting.
While it was a given that the Bears would receive a high seed for the team tournament that begins Wednesday, which seed was crucial.
“We’re hoping for a seed opposite Menlo,” said M-A co-coach Carlos Aguilar.
Aguilar and the Bears got their wish as M-A received the No. 3 seed while defending champion Menlo School (17-3) got the No. 1. That means the teams would not face each other until the title match on May 16 at Courtside Club in Los Gatos — should they advance that far.
Menlo, of course, is expected to advance that far. The Knights have won five straight section titles and 12 overall, the most in CCS tennis history. Should Menlo win a sixth straight crown, the Knights will tie themselves (1998-2003), Monta Vista (1997-2002) and Palo Alto (1991-96) for the second-most in section history. Gunn won seven straight from 1972-78, a record within Menlo’s grasp.
Menlo, of course, has to win its sixth straight first. Possibly standing in the way is No. 2 seed Saratoga (17-0) and, perhaps, Menlo-Atherton. The Falcons and Bears could meet in the semifinals on May 14 while Menlo might face No. 4 Bellarmine or No. 5 Monta Vista.
Menlo has not faced Saratoga this season, but did hand Menlo-Atherton a 7-0 nonleague loss. The Bears, in turn, toppled Bellarmine by 5-2.
Menlo moved up in the state record books this season, winning its 20th straight league title to tie Bakersfield (1982-2001) for most in California history. The Knights also extended their on-going state record for most consecutive league dual-match wins to 216 in a row. Menlo’s last league loss came in 1995.
Joining Menlo and Menlo-Atherton in the tournament will be Sacred Heart Prep and No. 8 seed Palo Alto. The Gators (12-10) open Wednesday by hosting Mitty (15-5). The Gators last won a CCS title in 2008 while the Vikings claimed their final one in 1996. Menlo-Atherton’s title drought is the longest among area schools with the Bears last winning in 1985.
2014 CCS BOYS’ TEAM TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS
First round
Wednesday, 3 p.m.
Los Gatos (13-6) vs. St. Ignatius (13-5) at Golden Gate Park
Homestead (16-0) at Pioneer (6-6)
Valley Christian (14-8) at Cupertino (12-8)
Evergreen Valley (10-2) vs. Monterey (17-1) at Pebble Beach Club
Santa Cruz (16-1) vs. Crystal Springs (12-5) at Seascape Tennis Club, Aptos
R.L. Stevenson (6-) at Aragon (13-6)
Mitty (15-5) at Sacred Heart Prep (12-10)
St. Francis (12-10) at Leland (12-6)
Second round
Friday, 3 p.m.
Los Gatos-SI winner vs. No. 6 Serra (13-5)
Homestead-Pioneer winner at No. 3 Menlo-Atherton (17-4)
Valley Christian-Cupertino winner at No. 7 Los Altos (11-7)
Evergreen Valley-Monterey winner at No. 2 Saratoga (17-0)
Santa Cruz-Crystal Springs winner at No. 5 Monta Vista (11-6)
RLS-Aragon winner vs. No. 4 Bellarmine (18-3)
Mitty-SHP winner at No. 8 Palo Alto (13-6)
St. Francis-Leland winner at No. 1 Menlo School (17-3)
Quarterfinals
Monday, May 12 (3 p.m.)
Home sites
Semifinals
Wednesday, May 14 (1:30 p.m.)
at Courtside Club or Los Gatos Swim & Racquet
Finals
Friday, May 16 (1:30 p.m.)
at Courtside Club
By Palo Alto Online Sports
By Palo Alto Online Sports
By Palo Alto Online Sports