San Benito's Danielle Burke came just two points away from winning the Tri-County Athletic League tournament held in Salinas and advancing to the Central Coast Section playoffs.
Salinas' Kelsey Nix edged Burke in the championship 6-3, 4-6 (8-10). Nix will be the lone representative for the league in the section playoffs.
"It was a good match," said coach Ed Cecena. "Both players had a lot of good points."
Burke, San Benito's No. 1 player, had a bye in the first round of the tournament. She defeated Laura Sanchez of North Salinas 6-0, 6-0 in the semifinals and then Alexi Presis of Notre Dame 6-0, 6-1.
No. 2 Amanda Marshall, a freshman, won her opening match against Live Oak 6-1, 6-0 and then lost in the quarter finals to Nix 2-6, 3-6.
The No. 1 doubles team of Marlene Ramirez and Jamie Huston defeated Live Oak in the quarter finals 6-4, 6-2 after a bye in the opening round then lost in the semis against Notre Dame, 2-6, 4-6.
San Benito's No. 2 doubles team of seniors Felicia Freitas and Amanda Watson lost their first match 3-6, 2-6.
Salinas, which edged out Notre Dame for the TCAL league title, advances as a team in the playoffs. San Benito finished third behind Notre Dame.
"Overall we did pretty good," Cecena said. "We can't get over the hump for a title. We're going to work on adding more depth. I am happy with everyone's effort. We're still a relatively young team, and we have a lot of kids coming back.
Nathan Mixter Nathan Mixter covers sports for South Valley Newspapers. You can reach him at nmixter@svnewspapers.com.
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