Prep Boys Tennis Preview: Rancho Bernardo High gets early test with Torrey Pines; Poway, Del Norte return bulk of roster
By Michael Bower
Rancho Bernardo High was agonizingly close to capturing the CIF San Diego Section Division I title last season, tying Torrey Pines 9-9, but losing 85-81 in games in the championship match.
The Broncos, who have reached the section finals five straight years, will have a chance at avenging that loss today in the first showdown with the Falcons at Torrey Pines at 3 p.m.
But Rancho Bernardo will have a different look than last season without the graduated William Chiu and Cameron Bernhardt.
Meanwhile, Poway will have a similar look to last season. The Titans return No. 1 singles player Philip Thomas and added a little depth to their roster. Poway will try to improve on its two-win performance in the always-challenging Palomar League last year.
Del Norte is expected to capture a second straight Valley League championship and make a run at the Division II section crown.
The Nighthawks will be led by No. 1 singles player Peter Trhac. He is part of a large group of returning players for Del Norte, which is beginning to make a name for itself in the boys tennis world.
Here is a closer look at the local teams:
Poway
Coach:
Glenn Stephan, 3rd year
Next match:
Today at Mt. Carmel, 3 p.m.
Key players:
Philip Thomas, Jr.; Willie Van Den Heuvel, Sr.; Garrett Johnson, Jr.; Cliff Grant, So.; Christopher Long, So.; Tyler Neal, Fr.; Max Boorn, Fr.
Outlook:
The Titans are hoping to improve on last year’s two wins in the always-tough Palomar League.
Thomas returns as the No. 1 singles player followed by freshman Neal at No. 2 and returner Van Den Heuvel at No. 3.
“We have a nice team and a great group of guys that go out there and play hard every match,” Stephan said. “Our depth has improved, but we still are lacking a little star power.”
Freshman Boorn will play with Johnson at No. 1 doubles for Poway. The Titans will open league play today (Thursday) at Mt. Carmel at 3 p.m. Poway beat the Sundevils twice last season.
Rancho Bernardo
Coach:
Mike Parrinello, 17th year
Next match:
Today (Thursday) at Torrey Pines, 3:15 p.m.
Key players:
Steven Chen, Sr.; Aiku Shintani, Jr.; Allen Gao, Jr.; Jon Ross, Sr.; Bryan Fu, So.; Sean Wheeler, So.; Aneesh Ahuja, Sr.; Ankit Ahuja, Sr.
Outlook: The Broncos have reached the CIF San Diego Section Division I finals five years in a row, winning two of those and losing three times to Torrey Pines, including last season’s loss.
Rancho Bernardo will need to find a way to replace both William Chiu, the individual section runner-up last season, and Cameron Bernhardt, half of the section doubles championship team last year, as both graduated.
Chen is back and will play No. 1 singles. Shintani and Gao also return, giving the Broncos plenty of experience to make another run.
Del Norte
Coach:
Cherise Meoli, 5th year
Next match:
Today at Orange Glen, 3:15 p.m.
Key players:
Peter Trhac, Jr.; Zongy Li, So.; Nooah Bennett, Jr.; Thomas Chin, So.; Ben Friedl, Jr.; Daniel Zhang, Jr..; Patrik Thrac, Fr.; Andy Hu, Fr.; Baxter Gosch, Sr.; Seth Kim, Fr.
Outlook:
The defending Valley League champions got even stronger this season and could make a run at the Division II section championship.
Last season, Del Norte fell to La Jolla in the semifinals of the Division III playoffs.
Peter Trhac returns as the No. 1 singles player and team captain. Freshman Hu and returner Bennett will make up the No. 1 doubles team.
The Nighthawks should have little trouble capturing their second straight league championship.