The River Valley High School girls tennis team defeated Los Banos on Nov. 13, to claim the 2024-2025 Sac-Joaquin Division 4 Section Championship. Photo by Gabriel Ramirez, River Valley High Athletics

YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - On Thursday, Nov. 13, the River Valley High School girls tennis team played at the University of Pacific against Los Banos for the right to claim the Sac-Joaquin Division 4 Championship. The Falcons ultimately prevailed against Los Banos winning the championship 7-2!

To reach the championship game, the Falcons had previously beaten Livingston High at home on Nov. 4, and then traveled to Merced and knocked out the #2 seed El Capitan, on Nov. 6.  Setting up the championship against the #4 seed Los Banos in the final!

River Valley began the match with six singles players playing. It was a good start to the match when #1 Valeria Ramirez made quick work of her opponent and came off the court first with another dominant performance by winning the match 6-0, 6-1.  Falcons’ #2 and #3 singles players Sanah Kahlon and Claudia Dudek came right after with wins with 6-1, 6-4 and 6-1, 6-0 respectively for Sanah and Claudia. At that point, the Falcons were 3-0 in matches and all they needed were two more match wins to claim the championship. 

River High’s #6 singles Mia Gill made a valiant effort but came up short with a 4-6, 5-7 loss. Then #5 singles player Sam Baker, who has had pressure matches all year, wrapped up her match with a win for the team with a 6-1, 6-4 victory.

Now all the Falcons needed was one more victory to clinch the championship, with # 4 singles Gianna Lapera taking the court. Doubles play had barely begun while Lapera was in a tough singles match with her teammates watching and motivating her to get the victory. Lapera won the last point when the opponent made a double fault on her serve and Gianna won the match 6-2 6-3. The River High singles players went out and celebrated on the court in an albeit subtle way because the doubles matches were still going on. 

The Falcons were all smiles from there on. They had claimed victory and doubles were still playing.  #1 doubles of Alexis Otero and Jasmeen Chauhan had a great match but lost 5-7, 6-2, 5-10. They didn't play a full third set because the match had been decided.  Our #2 doubles of Jessica Reyes and Harleen Dosanjh won 6-3, 6-3. They had a great match. #3 doubles of Anjali Kazmierczak and Emma Gomez also won 6-4, 6-4. 

The River Valley girls tennis team had done something they had no thoughts of at the beginning of the year, but came out victorious.  The girls gave it "GANAS", desire and effort. On the ride home it was a celebration of not only the championship but of all the hard work throughout the year. THEY WERE CHAMPIONS!

The River Valley Falcons girls tennis team is thankful to everyone who cheered them on as they were a crucial part to winning as well.