Falcons advance individuals to state championship tournament

Folsom Lake College was the site of Thursday- through-Saturday's Big 8 Conference Tournament, and despite having to completely reschedule Friday's matches due to the rain, the event provided excitement and success for Falcon tennis players.  The tournament serves as a qualifier for the State Championship Tournament in Ojai on April 26-29, with Big 8 quarterfinalists and two at-large athletes advancing.  The Falcons will be well-represented in Ojai, with four women and  four men all qualifying. 

On the men's side, Daniel Alves qualified in singles, though he fell short of his goal of winning the Big 8 tournament when he lost in the semi-finals to American River's Sam Hall.  Alves and doubles partner Stephen Morley (who also qualified in singles) qualified for Ojai, though they were kicking themselves for their loss in the semi-finals.  The pair had looked unstoppable against ARC's #1 doubles team while winning the first set 6-1 and building a 5-2 lead in the second set.  But one game from winning the match, the wheels fell off as ARC rallied to win the next five games and take the second set, then won the third set tie-breaker.  The Falcons' #2 doubles team of Brian Lee and Dan Lee also qualified for the state tournament in Ojai.