Zablan keeps Woodbridge focused
It was somewhat of a conflicting second-round match for Woodbridge's No. 1 singles player, senior Mikey Zablan, against Newport Harbor on Friday.
Zablan enjoyed the comfort of knowing the Warriors already defeated the Sailors earlier this season. But he also wanted another shot at Dana Hills, which Newport Harbor spoiled by upsetting the Dolphins in the first round and setting up Friday's meeting with Woodbridge.
Zablan left no doubt about his emotions, however, after Woodbridge won all nine singles sets and defeated Newport Harbor, 12-6, in CIF-SS Division 1 boys tennis playoff action at Newport Harbor High.
It's the first time Zablan reached the quarterfinals in his four seasons on varsity with Woodbridge (18-2).
Newport Harbor, which finished in third place in the Sunset League, ends the season 12-8.
"It's new to me," Zablan said. "I thought we would be playing Dana Hills today. Personally, I wanted to play Newport Harbor. Of course, it would have been nice to have another shot at Dana Hills."
Zablan, Patrick Lipscomb and Jake De Vries swept at singles for Woodbridge. The trio lost a total of 13 games in their nine sets.
The Warriors' singles lineup will need to be strong Tuesday, when Woodbridge likely faces No. 2 seed Santa Barbara.
"We definitely want to be at home," Zablan said of a potential match with Santa Barbara. "We know about Santa Barbara's home crowd. We know we won't have anyone up there."
In other Division 1 matches:
No. 3 Corona del Mar 14, Dos Pueblos of Goleta 4: The Sea Kings swept all nine doubles sets in a second-round victory. Shane Korber also picked up a sweep at No. 1 singles, including a victory over Dos Pueblos No. 1 singles player Alexander Gryaznov, 6-1.
Mira Costa of Manhattan Beach 11, Troy 7: The Warriors had their chances but couldn't capitalize and fell to the Mustangs. Troy trailed, 4-2, after Round 1 after losing in a tiebreak at No. 3 doubles. Mira Costa's Parker Kelley defeated Caryl Hernandez, 7-5, in Round 2, which made it 7-5 Mustangs.
In Division 3:
No. 2 Valencia 18, Quartz Hill 0: The Tigers earned a shutout to reach their second consecutive quarterfinal.
