Mostafa Aniss sends a serve down court in Tuesday's win over Pioneer.

M.J. Gravina/Sun Post 

            Rio Americano High’s tennis program may not have lost, but the Division II tennis power knew it was in a fight.

            The Raiders of Sacramento, reigning Sac-Joaquin Section runner-ups, battled off visiting Manteca in a 5-4 thriller for the second round of the SJS playoffs on Wednesday, May 7. The loss signalled an end to a stellar season for a Manteca program on the peak of local success.

            The team finished the season 27-3, recording wins against the best teams in the area — at any division — and shellacking Pioneer of Woodland with an 8-1 victory during the Tuesday, May 6 opening round.

            “This was the last time they will play together as a team in any sport,” Manteca coach Frank Fontana said. “They should be very happy with themselves on what they have been able to accomplish in such a short time.

            “These kids are working on three years of experience and facing postseason opponents who have played tennis their entire lives.”

            Rio Americano, the California Athletic League champions, won an extra match to collect honors at home.

            From the No. 1 singles position, Mostafa Aniss was forfeited his match by Rio’s Robert Rugen after a 40-love advantage. Yassen Aniss took a 6-2, 6-4 win over Aaron Goldwyn while Gabe Lopez suffered an 0-6, 5-7 loss to Wyatt Brown. Beto Lopez-Ellis dropped a 0-6, 0-2 match to Ted Burchatt while David Shaefer lost 4-6, 6-4, 1-6 to Govind Raghavan. Rick Salcedo lost in 6-4, 0-6, 2-6 scores to Aaron Baygell.

            In doubles, Alex McAdams and Joey Aprile defeated Nick Brokaw and Ross Drury in 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 scores while Javier Montes and Arnei Morales lost to Ryan Kaupe and John Breger 2-6, 4-6. Juan Lugo and Alex Barragon managed a 6-3, 7-5 win over Sachin Gupta and Charles Lasalle.

            The Buffs advanced to face Rio Americano after topping Pioneer in a one-sided home stand to open postseason play. Mostafa Aniss (6-0 0-6, 6-2), Yassen Aniss (6-4, 6-0), Gabe Lopez (6-2, 6-4), Lopez-Ellis (6-3, 6-7, 6-4) and Shaefer (6-1, 6-3) took singles wins while Salcedo (3-6, 3-6) represented the lone blemish.

            In double's action, Aprile and McAdams (6-2, 6-2), Montes and Morales (6-2, 6-0) and Lugo and Barragan (6-1, 7-5) all took victories.

            The playoff run will be tough to repeat next year, with just five of the 12 playoff participants returning. But considering the season Manteca tennis has seen in 2008, that’s no surprise.