NEWPORT BEACH – University’s boys tennis team isn’t invincible like it has been in years past. Two nonleague losses to quality competition made that clear.
But even after losing to graduation some of the county’s best players, the Trojans continue to demonstrate they are in an elite class.
The Trojans eased past rival Corona del Mar on Tuesday afternoon in dominant fashion, 17-1, to reel off their fifth consecutive win and third straight in the Pacific Coast League.
In its past three outings, University (8-2, 3-0) has toppled Woodbridge, Beckman and CdM – all teams in the county top 10 – by a combined margin of 47-6.
The Sea Kings (6-4, 2-1) faced an uphill battle from the start as their top two singles players – Bjorn Hoffmann and Ryan Andrews – were out of the lineup. While Andrews was out because of a foot injury, Hoffmann was competing in a United States Tennis Association championship event.
University swept in both singles and doubles in the first and second rounds.
“I thought we played pretty well doubles-wise,” University coach John Kessler said. “It is hard to gauge the singles (with Ryan and Bjorn out). Bjorn could easily sweep us. … So I think it does matter.”
Led by seniors Konrad Kozlowski and Rohan Lageweg, the Trojans went 9-0 in doubles, while Riku Hashiyada and Ardi Safi swept their singles sets in helping University go 8-1 on the individual side.
CdM freshman Jacob Cooper earned the team’s only point in the third round.
“They got a lot of depth, a lot of good players,” Sea Kings coach Jamie Gresh said. “Playing this match kind of shows you where you are. … You only get better when you get beat up on.
“We got a lot out of today’s match. It’ll prepare us for Thursday (against Beckman). It’s not like our confidence is down, they’re just a better team than us from top to bottom.”
Contact the writer: kconnolly@ocregister.com
