 ALL-COUNTY TEAM: The selections for the first team are, from left to right, Jason Lin (University), Michael Tang (University), Chris Freeman (Mater Dei), Charlie Alvarado (Mater Dei), Warren Hardie (Dana Hills), Rickey Baylon (Mater Dei), Fabian Matthews (Corona Del Mar), Ryan Cheung (University), John Huant (University) and Ryan Agbayani (Mater Dei). NICK KOON, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER |
All-County boys tennis team and coach of the year
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All-County Boys Tennis Team
SINGLES
Jason Lin (Sr.), University: The Penn-bound senior led the Trojans to consecutive CIF-SS Division I titles and was in Coach John Kessler's singles lineup since his freshman year. Lin wasn't the most vocal player but his demeanor was always professional; getting the job done at the No. 1 spot and leading University to a 25-0 record. “He is University tennis,” Kessler said. “Penn is very lucky to have him.”
John Huang (Jr.), University: Performed well under pressure at the CIF-SS Division I final at The Claremont Club. Huang won two of three sets but perhaps none more important than his 6-3 victory that virtually clinched the match for the Trojans. Huang's team-first mentality earned him the respect of Kessler, who saw Huang make long drives after playing junior circuit tournaments to join his teammates for a league match.
Warren Hardie (Jr.), Dana Hills: Played an instrumental part in the Dolphins' success this season, leading them to the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division I playoffs. Hardie played at the No. 1 spot, and also advanced to the quarterfinals of The Ojai's CIF singles division. Back problems then and leading up to the playoffs limited his playing time. “He definitely could have done better and gone much further if not for that,” Dana Hills coach Jim Wilson said.
DOUBLES
Charlie Alvarado (Jr.) and Chris Freeman (Jr.), Mater Dei: The tandem has played doubles together since freshman year when they advanced to the quarterfinals of The Ojai's CIF doubles division. As sophomores they advanced to the semifinals, and this season reached the finals and won the whole thing. Their ability to make adjustments at the net made them one of the toughest doubles teams in CIF.
Michael Tang (Jr.) and Ryan Cheung (So.), University: The Trojans duo did not lose a match this season and gave University a strong doubles team that already had a lot of depth at singles. With more than a handful of good doubles teams in the county, Kessler arguably had the best doubles team here.
Ryan Agbayani (Sr.) and Rickey Baylon (Fr.), Mater Dei: They led the Monarchs as the No. 1 doubles team and gave Mater Dei something it had lacked in the previous years: a solid doubles team. Added depth at doubles resulted in Mater Dei's first semifinals appearance in the CIF-SS Division I playoffs where they were just a couple points from reaching the finals. Mater Dei's (23-2) only loss before the semifinals was to University.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Tim Mang, Corona del Mar
He is stepping down after 37 years, including stints at Orange Coast College and Edison High. But Mang made his mark with the Sea Kings, guiding them to three CIF titles and was just a few games from ousting powerhouse Thousand Oaks this season in the second round of the CIF-SS Division I playoffs. Mang preferred not to receive the honor but a poll of coaches unanimously voted to award him anyway because of his countless hours of contributions to high school tennis. He is the executive director of the National High School Tennis All-American Foundation and director of the All-American Invitational, which quickly gained notoriety as the most prestigious high school tennis tournament in the nation. For his dedication to county tennis, Mang is The Register's 2008 Coach of the Year.
Contact the writer: mmelendez@ocregister.com
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