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REDLANDS — University and Corona del Mar renewed their boys tennis rivalry Friday by clashing in the CIF-SS Open Division final for the third consecutive season.
The Trojans’ rackets, however, played the same, championship tune.
Bolstered by three freshmen starting in singles and a strong doubles lineup, University won its third consecutive title with an 11-7 triumph at the University of Redlands’ Jim Verdieck Tennis Center.
“You guys just amaze me,” University coach John Kessler told his team afterward. “It’s crazy. We find a way.”
In claiming its 12th section title under Kessler, University (23-1) used a blend of experience and youthful talent to defeat the reigning Ojai team champion that featured the reigning Ojai singles champion in Niels Hoffmann.
The USC-bound senior swept his singles matches 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 but University provided some resistance at singles. Freshman Rishvanth Krishna defeated Cal Poly SLO-bound Jack Cross 6-2 in the second round.
“As cool as a cucumber,” Kessler said of Krishna, who teamed with fellow freshmen Daniel Zhu and JiHyuk Im in the singles lineup.
University did its most damage in doubles, winning 8 of 9 matches.
The team of seniors SangHyuk Im and Bradley Yung swept its three matches, including the championship-clinching point. Langston Walter-Wu and Humam Alajeely also swept while juniors Cedric Lichtsteiner and Joseph Chan won 2 of 3.
“Our doubles are just so tough,” Kessler said. “(Our team is) a good mix of older and younger players.”
Corona del Mar was tied 3-3 after the first round.
“After the first round, I thought we were looking good,” Hoffmann said. “It’s fun (playing them). .. It’s kind of like the final boss, right? ‘Are we going to do it this time?’ This one felt closer.”
University defeated Corona del Mar in the Open Division finals in 2023 and ’22 by scores of 12-6 each year.
The rivalry’s theme shifted a bit this spring when Corona del Mar edged University in the teams’ first nonleague dual match in late February. The Sea Kings collected a win on games (89-79) after the teams tied 9-9.
It was Corona del Mar’s first triumph against University in a dual since 2006.
In March, University took the teams’ second dual meet 11-7 and went on to claim the No. 1 seed for the playoffs.
In Division 1:
JSerra 12, Brentwood 6: Freshman Riley Anson secured championship point with an ace as the No. 2-seeded Lions (21-0), led by co-coaches Kirk and Keith Orahood, sealed an undefeated season and won their first section championship.
Last season, JSerra lost to Sage Hill 10-8 in the Division 2 final.
Anson, the Trinity League singles champion, powered a singles lineup that won 8 of 9 matches. Anson and junior Brady Schaefgen swept their three matches while sophomore Cole Carlson won 2 of 3.
“We played as a family,” Anson said. “That really helped us.”
In Division 2:
Foothill 10, Flintridge Prep 8: The top-seeded Knights (18-3) won 8 of 9 matches in doubles to claim their first section title.
Foothill coach Dennis Claus, in his 29th season, expressed his gratitude for the championship.
“We’ve always been close and had good teams but this is a special group,” said Claus, in his second stint with the program. “Foothill probably has had more pros than almost any other high school. … For some reason, they never could pull off CIF.”
“I’m just blessed,” he added. “We get the CIF championship … and my wife (Alice) is pregnant and due right now.”
Foothill, a Division 1 playoff team last season, won its second close game of the tournament behind its doubles strength.
The No. 1 team of Jaxon Bach and Emilio Rodriguez and the No. 3 team of Ethan Kleinman and Nathan Nguyen each swept their three matches. The No. 2 team of Wilson Collas and Ethan Cho won 2 of 3 matches.
Fittingly, Kleinman and Nguyen secured the title in the third round that sparked the Knights storming their court.
Foothill also received singles victories from Thien-Tho Nguyen and Caleb Posner. Nguyen fought off three match-points to win 7-5.
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