The Yuba College men’s and women’s tennis teams have completed dual match play, and the Bay Valley Conference tournament is right around the corner.Many of the 49ers standout athletes are looking for a bid in the NorCal Tournament.The Yuba men’s team has had some better success this season than in past years. Strong recruits out of Yuba City High, a transfer from Kansas City and a strong returning sophomore helped guide the men to a third place finish. “The men are much improved from last year,” said Yuba coach Josh Prager. “We are going to be getting a lot of the guys back since we have mostly freshman.”American River College and Sierra College are the strongest teams in the BVC and have some of the premier players. “The top two teams in our league are American River and Sierra,” said Prager. “Though they have strong teams, our men are competitive with them.”Anton Talle, a freshman from Yuba City, is the top men’s singles player for Yuba and ended the season with a 4-4 individual record. Talle will be seeded third in the conference tournament and should qualify for the NorCal Tournament. Talle’s strengths are his speed, strong forehand and his strong net play ability. “He (Talle) just never gives up and always expects to win no matter who he is playing,” said Prager. “He even expects to beat me when we play in practice. That never happens, but he is a good competitor.”Kevin Buyse, a freshman from Kansas City, fills the No. 2 singles spot. Sophomore Beau Powell, a Marysville product, and Mike Vongsavath, a freshman from Yuba City, switch off in No. 3 singles play. Talle and Powell are Yuba’s No. 1 doubles team. The two have a 4-4 record in dual matches and are seeded third in the conference tournament. The 49ers’ women’s team has seen some bright spots in the season.Helen Bowman may only stand 5 feet tall but can sure pack a punch with her serve and overall ability. Bowman is the No. 1 women’s singles player for Yuba and has a 5-4 individual record in dual matches. Bowman, a sophomore from Yuba City, found her way back to Yuba after spending a year attending Chico State University. “Helen has a great serve and a strong backhand,” said Prager. “She is only 5 feet tall but has a good spin on her serve.”The women’s team lost Jennifer Twist, who was an excellent sophomore on last season’s team. Twist went unbeaten last year.Diana Montiel, a freshman from Marysville, is the No. 2 women’s player for Yuba. The speedy and athletic Montiel also teams with Bowman in doubles play. Montiel and Bowman have a 5-4 doubles record and will be competitive in the conference tournament. Sophomore YaYa Watson from Marysville is doing well this season and plays in the No. 3 singles spot.A couple of other players that were expected to perform well for the women’s team this season are injured or have eligibility problems. The BVC tournament will take place at the Oro West Racquet Club in Oroville on April 19, 20 and 21. The top eight finishers in singles play and the top four doubles teams qualify to advance to the NorCal tournament. The NorCal tournament will take place May 3, 4 and 5 in a site to be determined.
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