Panthers pummel Vikings

Having already lost twice to first-place Menlo-Atherton -- by scores of 5-2 and 4-3, respectively -- the Burlingame High boys' tennis team would love nothing more than to get another shot at the Bears. Of course, that's not going to happen, so the Panthers are intent on finishing the season strong and winning the Peninsula Athletic League playoffs, which carries an automatic berth into the Central Coast Section tournament. Host Burlingame looked like a team on a mission Tuesday, rolling to a 7-0 win over Mills. The Panthers (8-2 PAL Bay, 9-2 overall) made quick work of the Vikings (2-8, 5-9), clinching the match in a tidy 40 minutes. Burlingame dropped only one set en route to the victory. "I wouldn't say we necessarily have more talent this year compared to last year, but we're playing more consistent," Panthers coach Bill Smith said. "A lot of our guys have improved and that's what you want." The thing that pleases Smith the most is the play of his doubles teams. Burlingame's No. 1 team of Erik Chaney and Brendan Mok are undefeated this season and have been flat-out dominant in the process, having not lost a set. Chaney and Mok are a traditional doubles team, looking to come and finish off points at the net. They combined power, solid volleys and tremendous chemistry in a 6-0, 6-2 win over Jing Ji and Phillip Dunn. "They both hit the ball hard and bring big returns," Smith said. "And they're looking to win points as opposed to waiting for teams to lose points." Michael Nolan is one of Burlingame's most improved players. Nolan teams with Forrest Tsu at No. 2 doubles, and they topped Gavin Lam and Benson Lee in the day's most competitive match, 6-3, 4-6, (10-8 super tiebreaker as third set). At the No. 3 slot, Clay Schubiner and Jack Waldsmith beat Eric Zhou and William Lu 6-1, 6-3. "Last year was real frustrating (because often times) we'd win the four singles matches and lose the doubles," Smith said. "This year, we're more knowledgeable in doubles and playing the way it should be played and the results dictate that." Burlingame is still plenty strong in singles, with Steven Roston, Palmer Mendelson, Alan Verkhovski and Riley Chadwell all having solid seasons. Roston finished strong in a 6-3, 6-0 win over Kevin Yuen at No. 1, while Mendelson rolled to a 6-0, 6-0 victory over Scott Brunstein at the second position. Verkhovski beat Daniel Chen 6-2, 6-0 at three, and Chadwell defeated Matt Nicolay 6-1, 6-2 a the four slot. Burlingame has been buoyed by junior Chadwell, who is in his first year at Burlingame having moved here from the Chicago area. "Riley just showed up one day," Smith said. "Gosh, we got lucky. He's a solid all-around player." As is Verkhovski, who grinds his ways to victories perhaps better than anyone else in the PAL. "Alan is a counterpuncher," Smith said. "He just perseveres." Although Mills isn't at Burlingame's level, the Vikings have been competitive in a number of matches this season. They went 3-1 in non-league action and longtime coach Scott Selig is pleased with the way his team has played this year. "The guys rally around each other and they're having a lot of fun," said Selig, who is in his 17th year coaching his alma mater and 21st season overall in the PAL, having started with Sequoia in 1989. "We're not going to win a championship, but the guys are still competing hard and it's good to see." Rainouts have wreaked havoc on Mills, which hasn't been able to practice much this season. "We really need the practice time," Selig said. "We have a makeup match with Woodside (Wednesday) and then another match on Thursday." Selig said he's encouraged with the present and particularly the future. The Vikings will return the majority of their starting lineup for next season. "As long as the guys learn and improve, that's all you can ask," Selig said.