By ADAM KUJAWSKI, Staff Writer
St. Joseph Academy’s Fernando Alvarez and Donna North’s Jennifer Garcia won the boys and girls singles championships at the Brownsville Tournament.
The open tournament that had been held at various schools around Brownsville on Friday concluded Saturday morning at host school Pace.
Alvarez defeated Brandon Cuellar of Mercedes 7-6, 6-2 in the boys singles match. After a crucial tiebreak to finish the first set, Alvarez rolled through the second to claim the victory. He cited concentration and mental toughness as the reasons he played so effectively.
“It was a tough match, but I think I was superior,” he said. “I’m really happy (with the way I’ve been playing), but I think I have to work more on my consistency.”
His coach, Sophia Bonas, echoed those statements and has been encouraged by Alvarez’s play of late.
“He was just playing his game,” she said. “I tell him to fight the nerves and play aggressive. He was consistent. He found a way to get out of his frustration when he was feeling it and found a way to get the momentum to pull it off in the second set.
“I was very satisfied with the way he played. He’s been improving throughout the weeks. I’m looking forward to seeing him continue.”
On the girls side, Garcia held off Mercedes’ Crystal Werbiski 6-3, 7-5 after narrowly escaping a late comeback attempt by her opponent.
Garcia held a 4-1 lead in games during the first set, and after Werbiski won the next two Garcia came out on top after winning the eight and ninth game of the first.
Werbiski held on for the majority of the second set, not allowing Garcia to take more than a one-game lead until the ninth game, when Garcia took a 5-3 lead.
Werbiski again fought back to tie the set at five games apiece, but Garcia won the next two to seal the match.
“It was her first time in the semifinals and finals,” Donna North coach Juan Picazo said. “She was nervous. I was very nervous as well.
“It was a good experience for her, and she pulled through. It shows that she’s a tough player.”
Garcia was happy with her performance as well.
“I think I played good,” Garcia said. “I think my strongest part was my confidence.”
Garcia and Donna North will be back in action Feb. 20 in Sharyland.
Adam Kujawski covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6663 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @adamkujo1.