Last Tuesday, Monta Vista dropped a 4-3 decision to the Falcons, forcing a deadlock atop the De Anza Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League. After both teams completed the regular season with 7-0 wins two days later, the Matadors and Falcons were sitting at 11-1 and a share of the division championship.

But, for the purpose of seeding the Central Coast Section's team tournament, the two teams had to square off on Oct. 28 at Lynbrook to break the tie.

Monta Vista pulled off a 6-1 victory, getting singles wins from junior Vidya Dabir, freshman Sophie Chang and juniors Jennifer Chui and Taskeen Bains. Dabir went three sets to edge Saratoga freshman Kelly Lamble 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 at No. 1 singles.

The Mats also took two of the three doubles matches, sophomores Chau Nguyen and Courtney Chin combining to claim the win at No. 1 and junior Stephanie Wu and sophomore Tiffany Nguyen winning at No. 3. Nguyen and Chin teamed for a 6-3, 6-1 win over Frances Lin and Christina Low.

"This was a big win because we will be the No. 1 seed," explained Monta Vista coach Gene Fortino, after the Matadors improved their division record to 12-1 and their overall mark to 22-3.

Saratoga, now 20-4 overall, had snapped the Matadors' 71-game winning streak at the Peachtree Invitational in early September. Then, the Mats avenged the loss by winning their first league meeting on Sept. 27.

Now, the Matadors likely will be seeded No. 1 and Saratoga No. 2 when the 24-team championship tournament under way Nov. 8.

In other recent matches, Saratoga blanked Homestead 7-0 and knocked off rival Los Gatos 6-1. Lamble won 6-0, 6-0 at No. 1 against the Mustangs and 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (6-5) against the Wildcats.