San Luis tennis tops Cibola

 San Luis took a giant step toward repeating as Gila Valley Region champions in boys tennis with a 5-4 victory against Cibola on Monday.

The Sidewinders (6-2, 2-0 Gila Valley) and Raiders (3-4, 1-1) split singles and were tied 4-4 with only the third doubles still playing.

 Sophomores Angel Varela and Aldo Amayo pulled out an 8-6 victory to push the Sidewinders over the top.

 Both were playing in their first varsity match after being called up from junior varsity.

 "It was a very exciting match from start to finish," San Luis co-head coach Paul Zenker. "Both teams surrounded the court and cheered their teammates on."

 The teams will play later in the season at Cibola.

 "This was the match. Huge, huge victory for San Luis," Zenker said.

 San Luis teammates Eric Rodriguez and Max Pinnow gutted out a 9-8 (7-3) win at No. 1 doubles.

 Pinnow won 6-1, 6-2 at No. 2 singles. Adrian Maranon followed with a 6-1, 7-5 win at No. 3 and No. 4 Juan Lara won 6-3, 6-1.

 Winning in singles for Cibola was Albert Castro 6-2, 6-2 at No. 1; Blake Boyer 6-0, 6-0 at No. 5 and Kyle Duran 7-5, 6-3 at No. 6. Coby Teal and Louis Franco won 8-6 at second doubles.