FOLSOM, Calif. – The St. Francis tennis team lost 5-2 in the semifinals of the CIF Northern California Regional Championships Friday to eventual champion Los Gatos. The Troubadours advanced with a 4-3 win over Dougherty Valley earlier in the day.

“It was a great week,” said Head Coach Spector, who was the Delta League Coach of the Year. “Winning the section title was huge because we lost last year in the final match. We wanted it and it was important that we were going to NorCals but it was more important for the girls to clinch the section title. We viewed NorCals as icing on the cake.”

St. Francis advanced to the NorCal Bracket with a 5-4 win over Del Oro on Tuesday. It was the ninth section title in school history but first since 2011. The Troubies won seven consecutive section titles from 2005-11 as well as claiming titles in 1995 and 1998.

St. Francis, making their second consecutive CIF NorCal appearance, faced Dougherty Valley in the opening round.

“We knew we were going against the top eight teams in Northern California,” said Spector. “It was going to be a battle all the way through.”

St. Francis (19-1) took the early lead with a wins by freshman Adithi Benush at No. 2 over Varsha Reddy (6-1, 6-1), Alisha Anwar at No. 3 over Isabella Via (6-0, 6-2) and at the top doubles spot by Kiya and Kyla Jackson. They won in straight sets over Sana Shedani and Srishti Garg 6-1, 6-1 in a match Spector called “great tennis” and said both players played light out.

Trailing a set in the three remaining matches on the courts, the Troubies needed one more win to clinch the match and got it from freshman Alex Evans and sophomore Bianca Ariza at No. 2 doubles. The duo won a comeback, three-setter 4-6, 7-5, 6-2.

“It was a huge match and a big win for those girls,” said Spector.

The win advanced St. Francis into the semifinals against top seed Los Gatos and a lineup that featured three nationally ranked singles players.

“To move on and get a NorCal win so exciting,” said Spector. “We knew to turnaround and play the No. 1 seed Los Gatos was going to be a daunting task. Even though we lost, our girls played the best tennis they have played all season. There is no shame when you are playing really well and you lose. You did the best you can.”

SF was swept in the four singles matches but managed two points in doubles. The Jackson sisters won at No. 1 and Evans and Ariza were straight set winners at No. 2.

“I am super proud of the girls and I am sad it is over,” said Spector. “I am happy for such a wonderful season.”

The Troubadours equaled the best finish in school history with their fourth NorCal semifinal appearance. St. Francis had also advanced to the semifinals in 2008, 2009 and 2011.

The team will celebrate the season with their annual banquet at the school on Monday.

St. Francis 4, Dougherty Valley 3

Singles

1. Christina Wang, DV, def. 6-4, 6-1
2. Adithi Benush, SF, def. Varsha Reddy, DV, 6-1, 6-1
3. Alisha Anwar, SF, def. Isabelle Via, DV, 6-0, 6-2
4. Sadhika Akula, DV, def. Marisa Fat, SF, 7-5, 6-2

Doubles

1. Kyla Jackson/Kiya Jackson, SF, def. Sana Shedani/Srishti Garg, DV, 6-1, 6-1

2. Alex Evans/Bianca Ariza, SF, def. Tanya Kapur/Kristie Wong, DV, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2

3. Karen Liu/Katherine Gan, DV, def. Izzy Asker/Sam Sonntag, SF, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4

Los Gatos 5, St. Francis 2

Singles

1. Ashley Yeah, LG, def. Myra Anwar, SF, 6-0, 6-0
2. Sarah Bahsoun, LG, def. Adithi Benush, SF, 6-1, 6-4
3. Yano Gurevich, LG, def. Alisha Anwar, SF, 6-1, 6-3
4. Florella Chen, LG, def., Marisa Fat, SF, 6-1, 6-2

Doubles

1. Kyla Jackson/Kiya Jackson, SF, def. Maya Kurahi, LG, 6-1, 6-0
2. Alex Evans/Bianca Ariza, SF, def. Caroline Zepecki/Remi Shouffer, LG, 6-4, 6-3
3. Annie Kettmann/Gabrielle Suorsa, LG, def. Izzy Asker/Sam Sonntag, SF, 6-0, 5-7, 1-0

All-Time Nor-Cal Appearances

2005 – St. Francs lost to Monte Vista (Danville), 6-1 (Quarterfinals)

2006 – St. Francis lost to Monte Vista (Danville), 5-2 (Quarterfinals)

2007 – No. 4 St. Francis lost to San Ramon Valley, 5-2 (Quarterfinals)

2008 – No. 4 St. Francis defeated Monte Vista (Danville), 4-3 (Quarterfinals)

2008 – No. 4 St. Francis lost to No. 1 Mitty, 6-1 (Semifinals)

2009 – No. 4 St. Francis defeated Foothill, 4-1 (Quarterfinals)

2009 – No. 4 St. Francis lost to No. 1 Saratoga, 5-2 (Semifinals)

2010 – No. 4 St. Francis lost to Redwood, 4-3 (Quarterfinals)

2011 – No. 4 St. Francis defeated Monte Vista (Danville), 5-2 (Quarterfinals)

2011 – No. 4 St. Francis lost to No. 1 Monte Vista (Cupertino), 6-1 (Semifinals)

2016 – No. 6 St. Francis lost to No. 3 Amador Valley, 5-2 (Quarterfinals)

2017 – No. 4 St. Francis defeated Doughty Valley, 4-3 (Quarterfinals)

2017 – No. 4 St. Francis lost to Los Gatos, 5-2 (Semifinals)