Tournament season began in earnest today with the Bay Valley Athletic League tournament at Freedom High School. Carondelet junior Noelle Eades won the singles title, defeating teammate Chloe Dobbert. Carondelet also took the doubles title, as Suzanne Corrado and Alli Romolino beat Whitney Richards and Sarah Osborn of Freedom.

Now, a few things to consider as I reflect on the day that was:
1. Eades won her third BVAL title in three tries. If there was any question as to who is the dominant tennis player in the league, it was laid to rest today.
2. Dobbert did not wilt under the pressure of a league championship and she’s a freshman. A freshman! I smell a re-match next year.
3. Suzanne Corrado is a year removed from a serious car crash and leg injury and she deserves to be recognized, not just for winning a title but for having the fortitude to come back.

My favorite story of the day came from the host Freedom Falcons. When Richards and Osborn (a senior and freshman, respectively) beat No. 1 seed Annalisa Villa and Eryn Parker of Carondelet in the semis, the duo qualified for the North Coast Section tournament at James Logan HS on Nov. 14 and 15. Big deal, eh? Well it is. Richards and Osborn are the first Falcons to go to NCS in the nine-year history of Freedom High School. To see coach Steve Amaro beaming as they took the court for the final was fun. Congratulations to the Falcons, and congrats to the Cougars.

The ACCAL played today also, and the results aren’t in just yet. Jennifer Lau of Alameda entered play today as the favorite but teammate Joie Fong and El Cerrito’s Lauren Kane were expected to challenge as well. Read the Contra Costa Times tomorrow morning to see who won.