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Any coach will tell you that, in team sports, you’re only as strong as your weakest link. The San Ramon boys tennis team learned that lesson on Friday afternoon at the Berkeley High tennis courts, winning the top two singles spots, but still falling to the notoriously deep Yellowjackets, 7-2. 

The Berkeley contingent picked up the slack for losses by Michael Ross and Patrick Hamilton, getting wins from Noah Farb, Nicky Baum, Nate Simmons and Jamie Bloomsburgh at Nos. 3-6 singles.  

Despite the absence of top doubles team Dave Grunwald and John Madigan, the ’Jackets (9-2) managed to come away with a sweep in the doubles, with the teams of Gabe Zeldin-Chris Jain, Ian Buchanan-George Thomas, and Chris Lee-Brett Cohen all winning their respective matches in straight sets. 

“(San Ramon’s) definitely a challenge. We had to be ready for them,” said BHS coach Dan Seguin, whose squad registered a 6-3 win in the two schools’ previous meeting on March 21. “We didn’t have one of our singles guys last time we played. (Our players) are looking good.” 

The win marks the second straight for the Yellowjackets since March 28’s loss to Monte Vista – a result that could cost Berkeley High its East Bay Athletic League title. The Mustangs remain undefeated in league, with just two games to play. The ’Jackets look to hold onto sole possession of second place Tuesday, when it travels to Granada to face the Matadors – a team Berkeley expects to be a pushover.  

“I might let the doubles play some singles, and (play) some JVs (against Granada),” Seguin said. “I think there are certain spots that could always be stronger, but they’re doing the right things.” 

Tuessay’s match is slated to begin at 3:30 p.m. at Granada’s home courts.