Tam Aims at Boys Tennis Title Today at Redwood

Redwood High has won the last three Marin County Athletic League (MCAL) championships, but history might be on ’s side when the boys tennis rivals meet Thursday at 4 p.m. in the league finals at Redwood.

The Red-tailed Hawks entered the playoffs as the second seed behind Redwood as a result of the Giants’ 6-3 victory in their head-to-head on March 17.

But Redwood also had a 6-3 win over Tam in their first meeting last season, only to see the Hawks produce one of the biggest shockers in recent MCAL tennis history – a 9-0 whitewashing of the perennial power -- in the rematch.

Tam coach isn’t expecting as dramatic a turnaround this time around, but he’d take a 5-4 win nonetheless.

“Our goals are high. Coming in second is not the goal that we set,” the fifth-year coach assured. “We're out to win it.”

Thursday’s winner will earn the MCAL’s automatic berth in the upcoming North Coast Section Championships, while the loser will have to petition to get in.

Both teams earned a spot in the finals with impressive semifinals wins Tuesday. Tam faced the tougher foe – third-seeded Branson – and came through with arguably its best match of the season, winning 6-3.

Zak Bohegian set the tone for the Hawks with a straight-sets win over Branson’s top player Alex Brenner, and hopes to do the same Thursday against Redwood star Jonathan Pike.

But it was Pike who prevailed the first time around this season, 6-2, 6-3, helping the Giants win five of the six singles matches and clinching the win even before the doubles were contested.

Every match could be a difference-maker Thursday, starting with the Bohegian-Pike showdown.

“(Tuesday’s) match was top-notch stuff,” Washauer said of Bohegian’s win. “In tennis, it’s not so much how you’ve done in the past but rather how people are playing now. How they’re trending. Where their confidence level is.”

Tam is riding high after its big win over Branson, and has made a change in the lineup since last seeing Redwood. Freshman Brandon Austin, whose tennis season got off to a late start because he played basketball, missed the first meeting because of an injury.

In a matchup that was about as close as they get the first time around (Redwood’s three difference-making wins were all in third-set super-tiebreakers), one key newcomer could tip the balance.

“Anyone who looks at 6-3 and thinks that wasn’t close, that’s just silly,” Washauer assured. “It was a tough match. Very, very close. It came down to one or two points at the end of the day.

“I think it’s going to be the same type of match (Thursday).”

TAM TENNIS UPDATE

Tuesday’s result: Beat Branson, 6-3, in MCAL playoffs semifinals.

Tam’s record: 20-4 overall.

Highlights: Zak Bohegian outlasted Branson ace Alex Brenner, 6-4, 7-5, to help Tam win four of the six singles matches in Tuesday’s playoff semifinals … scored another key win for the Hawks, getting the better of another of Branson’s sophomore standouts, Angel Hiller, 7-5, 6-3, at third singles … Tam swept the doubles matches, led by the 6-1, 6-1 triumph of Noah Jaffe and at second doubles.

Coach Bill Washauer’s comments: (Tuesday) was a very important win for us for the quality of our season. (Branson) has quality players up and down the ladder. I won’t be surprised if we play them again in NCS.”

Upcoming schedule: Thursday at Redwood in MCAL Playoffs finals, 4 p.m.