A busy week saw the Oakdale Mustang tennis team on the court four times in as many days. Oakdale began the week on the road against Lathrop where they won 8-1 over the Spartans on Monday, April 10. Oakdale then clashed with Sierra on Tuesday, April 11 and came away with a 6-3 victory. The Mustangs then ran into a buzz saw in the Valley Oak League where they met with the top two teams in the league on Wednesday, April 12 falling to Central Catholic 2-7 and losing 9-0 on Thursday, April 13 to the Valley Oak League champions, Manteca Buffaloes.

“It stinks ending the year on a losing streak, but with our wins on Monday and Tuesday we clinched fourth place to end up in the top half of the Valley Oak League standings,” Mustangs coach Grant Miller said.

“The boys really did a good job this year. I did not expect to finish this high in league. The infusion of youth into the program turned a year that I thought would be a rebuilding one into a competitive year. I can’t say enough about the work ethic and determination of these young men. I am extremely proud of them. In fact to quote a cheesy ‘80s song, ‘The future’s so bright I gotta wear shades’,” Miller added, chuckling.

Monday’s set against the Spartans saw Oakdale win five of their six singles contests and a clean sweep for the doubles teams. Oakdale’s one and two ranked singles made quick work of the opposition. Number one Zack Miller defeated Chad Hoang 6-1, 6-1 and second ranked Daniel Lubeck defeated Brandon Tabofuda 6-0, 6-2. In doubles action the top ranked duo of Jaylen Fogleman and Shivam Mistry took three sets to get the win over Justin Barber and Alfonso Belangel 6-1, 5-7, 10-8. Oakdale’s Matt Kjeldgaard and Chris Frye won in straight sets as did the third ranked team of Clay Verdegaal and Teo Diaz.

In the team’s final win of the season, Oakdale’s Angel Padilla defeated Orin Yamomo in straight sets to help lift the Mustangs over Sierra. The doubles team dropped two of three against the Timberwolves as Kjeldgaard and Frey won in straight sets.

Next on the schedule for Oakdale is the Valley Oak League singles tournament on Tuesday, April 25 and doubles will take place on Thursday, April 27. Both events will be held at Sierra High School in Manteca with a start time scheduled for 9 a.m. on both days. The Sac-Joaquin Section Division II tournament begins on Monday, May 1 at Johnson Ranch Racquet Club in Roseville.