Register now for NJTL summer classes

Registration forms are now available for the HDTA's 2007 National Junior Tennis League classes.

• Printable registration form (HTML)
• Downloadable registration form (PDF)

The National Junior Tennis League (NJTL) seeks to develop the character of young people through tennis by:

• Reaching out to those who may not otherwise have the opportunity to play the sport.
• Instilling in youngsters the values of leadership and academic excellence.
• Giving youngsters the opportunity to fully develop their tennis skills so they can drive a lifetime of enjoyment form the sport.

If you have a youngster who wishes to participate, sign him or her up now. If you wish to teach an NJTL group, or if you wish to be an assistant coach, or if you have a site you think should have an NJTL program, please contact Richard Roberts at 220-1438.

We also still need donations of now or used racquets and tennis balls for our programs. Don't forget, donations to HDTA are tax-deductible.

2007 DCB/CVC Memorial Day Tournament

The drawsheets are available here.

2nd Annual Kory Rudow Scholarship Tennis Tournament

Junior and adult tennis entry forms for the 2nd Annual Kory Rudow Scholarship Tennis Tournament, scheduled for on June 23th and 24th, 2007 are now available. You can pick up a copy of the entry form at Spring Valley Lake Country Club. You can also call Paul Rudow (home: 949-1800, cell: 220-5624) to request an entry form, or download a PDF entry form here:

http://www.highdeserttennis.org/news/200706kr_entry_form.pdf

Ball kids and adults wanted

The Countrywide Classic USTA Men’s Challenger and the Home Depot Center USTA Women’s Challenger are looking for ball kids and ball adults for these tournaments, which are coming up May 26-June 3rd.

If you are interested, contact:

Jarid Baldogo
Phone: 310-409-8453
E-mail: tennisprojtb@yahoo.com

In addition to seeing future tennis stars close up and being involved in a pro tournament, participants will receive two free tickets to Monday or Tuesday Day session of Countrywide Classic or Carson WTA Tour event.

See the flyer here:

http://www.highdeserttennis.org/news/images/2007-Pro-Circuit-Ball-Kids.jpg

Free kids' day

The Countrywide Classic USTA Men’s Challenger and the The Home Depot Center USTA Women’s Challenger are having a kids' day, Saturday, June 2nd, from 9:00-11:00 a.m.

The USTA says there will be contests, prizes, Rapid Rally and lots of fun.

Location: The Home Depot Center
18400 Avalon Blvd, Carson, CA 90746
Contact: Henry Talbert at 310-208-3838

Here's the flyer:

http://www.highdeserttennis.org/news/images/2007-Pro-Circuit-Kids-Day.jpg

Haynes wins in Indian Harbour Beach

Angela Haynes has won the women's doubles in the $50,000 challenger event in Indian Harbour Beach, FL, with partner Monique Adamczak (AUS).

16	W	BRENGLE (USA) / WEINHOLD (USA)		2-6 6-1 6-3
QF	W	GLATCH (USA) / NGUYEN (USA)		3-6 6-2 6-4
SF	W	KOPS-JONES (USA) / TSOUBANOS (USA)		6-1 2-6 7-5
FR	W	GULLICKSON (USA) / LEE-WATERS (USA)		6-1 3-6 6-4

Source: ITF Tennis
http://www.itftennis.com/

Silverado gets blown out in second round

By GERALD TANG / Staff Writer
May 12, 2007 - 11:40PM
© Daily Press, a Freedom Communications Newspaper

VICTORVILLE — Silverado, the last High Desert tennis team standing, couldn't find its footing Saturday.

That would be putting it very, very delicately.

After squeezing into the second round of the CIF-SS Division IV playoffs, the Hawks ran into a school called Viewpoint, which made the two-hour bus trip from Calabasas.

The commute might have been the most difficult part of the day for the Patriots, who scored a 17-1 victory at Silverado High School.

Fresh off three straight Division V championships, Viewpoint (20-2) moved up to tougher competition this year. The results have been the same.

The Patriots stormed past Mayfair 16-2 in Thursday's first round. Silverado (8-6) edged Garey in a 9-9 match decided on total games.

Saturday's outcome was quickly made a formality when the Patriots won the first 10 sets. The only suspense was whether the Hawks could avoid the shutout.

Senior Ben Zagala came through with a challenging 6-4 win against Viewpoint's No. 3 singles player, Eric Leidersdorf. It was a moral victory that touched off a tongue-in-cheek celebration from the Silverado bench. The statkeepers drew a smiley face next to the score on the whiteboard.

"There's only a certain amount you can do against teams like this," junior John Park said. "We could have taken more than one set. I think it was just the mentality. ... You can't just play your game."

Park went as far as trying an underhand serve against Troy List, Viewpoint's top singles player. List was brilliantly dominant in a 6-0, 6-1, 6-1 sweep, doing whatever he wanted on the court. He would blast a winner on one point, then flick a drop-shot on the next.

Zagala, a Desert Sky League singles finalist, said List was the toughest opponent he has played. The Viewpoint senior kept rallies short with well-placed groundstrokes that were akin to fastballs with late movement.

"It doesn't look like it would spin a lot, but it would jump off the court really fast," Zagala said. "The shot doesn't look hard, but when it bounces, there's a lot of action on the ball."

Radiating confidence, List spent his downtime between points cheering for his teammates on the other courts. He ran his singles record this season to 60-4.

"It's playoff time, we're just out here to win," said List, who will play for Lehigh University next year. "No matter who it is, good or bad. We're just going to try to put them away as fast as possible, get some rest for the next round."

There won't be a next round for the Hawks, but they did win a playoff match for the third consecutive year. Sultana, Serrano and DSL champion Granite Hills were all eliminated in the first round earlier in the week.

[...]

Gerald Tang can be reached at gtang@vvdailypress.com or 951-6281.

See the full story here.

Taking the 'community' out of 'community college'

Anyone reading the "About Our Campus" page on Victor Valley College's website would be excused for coming away with the idea that the college is "designed to meet the needs of [...] the community as a whole," which is "accessible to all people." Unfortunately, this sense of community does not extend to tennis players. Since the Southern California Women's Regional Tennis Championships, all ten of VVC's tennis courts have been locked, and are off-limits to the public.

Sultans make an early exit

By GERALD TANG / Staff Writer
May 10, 2007 - 11:39PM
© Daily Press, a Freedom Communications Newspaper

For complete coverage of the high school tennis playoffs, check out the Friday, May 11, 2007 Daily Press.

HESPERIA — Team tennis. It's a bit of an oxymoron.

That was painfully apparent to Sultana senior Tenis Taing in the opening round of the CIF-Southern Section Div. III playoffs on Thursday. He did his job against Redlands East Valley, dominating three sets.

But when the points were tallied, the Sultans came up short in a 10-8 loss.

"It's frustrating, we felt like we could have beaten this team," said Taing, who finished the year with a 53-1 record. "But a couple guys couldn't step up. They're a great team. There's not much you can do about it."

The other Sultana singles players went a combined 0-6 against the Wildcats, the No. 2 seed in the Citrus Belt League.

On the doubles side, Max Bishop and Roberto Archuleta swept their three sets, 6-3, 6-1, 6-1. But Sultana's other doubles squads went 2-4.

In a key upset at the end of the day, Wildcats coach Ken Whitmer substituted Corey Matthews to team with John Whitmer at No. 3 doubles. The tandem defeated Sultana's No. 2 duo of Josh Buetow and Dallin Haywood, 6-4.

It was one of several critical victories in the final round that saw the Wildcats keep their poise with the pressure increased.

REV (14-9) played a challenging nonleague schedule this year against some of the top-ranked opponents in the division. In five of their matches, the Wildcats entered the final round with the score tied, only to lose narrowly.

The experience appeared to have made a difference, as some of the Sultans players unraveled in their matches despite jumping to early leads.

"This is where all those tough matches paid off," said Whitmer, "because they were confident enough."

Coming off a Mojave River League championship, the Sultans (12-4) were confident, too. They just were short on experience.

Taing, Bishop, Archuleta and Buetow were the only seniors in the lineup.

"They're very young, and their mental game is really young," coach Wayne Elliott said. "We've had a lot of close ones where we've been on top. We didn't get it this time."

Taing made a valiant effort to keep it close, sweeping three wins at 6-2, 6-1, 6-2. The powerful hitter seemed to elevate his game to playoff level, with the ball exploding off his racket even more than usual.

In the marquee matchup, Taing overwhelmed REV's Philip Suh, the Citrus Belt League singles champion. Taing rattled off the first five games of the set with punishing groundstrokes and occasional volleys. On triple break point, he blasted a laser backhand that barely cleared the net for a 4-0 lead.

[...]

Gerald Tang can be reached at gtang@vvdailypress.com or 951-6281.

See the full story here.

Granite Hills blown out of first round

McCray sweeps at No. 1 singles for Cougars

By Jack Tucker - Special to the Daily Press
May 10, 2007
© Daily Press, a Freedom Communications Newspaper

Apple Valley — A strong desert wind whipped through the Granite Hills tennis courts, and with it went the Cougars' season.

Patrick McCray swept his sets at No. 1 singles but it wasn't enough in Granite Hills' 13-5 loss to Mark Keppel/Monterey Park on Thursday in a CIF-Southern Section Division IV first-round match.

Granite Hills, the Desert Sky League champion, won five of nine singles sets against the wild card Aztecs but failed to win a doubles set.

[...]

For complete coverage of the high school tennis playoffs, check out the Friday, May 11, 2007 Daily Press.

Diamondbacks make a quick playoff exit

Serrano's Long-Tate duo picks up team's only win

By Nick Gaspar / Special to the Daily Press
May 10, 2007
© Daily Press, a Freedom Communications Newspaper

Phelan — it proved to be a short postseason run for Serrano, which lost 17-1 to Chaparral/Temecula on Thursday in the opening round of the CIF-Southern Section Division III boys tennis playoffs.

Chaparral, the No. 2 seed from the Southwestern League, struggled with gusty winds early, but it didn't take long for the Pumas to adjust.

"Our wind is not as bad as it was out here today," Chaparral coach Chad Spitley said. "I was proud of my boys for how they handled it; it was a little bit different for them."

[...]

For complete coverage of the high school tennis playoffs, check out the Friday, May 11, 2007 Daily Press.

Tennis Notebook: Hawks hope to feel at home

By GERALD TANG / Staff Writer
May 9, 2007 - 12:00AM
© Daily Press, a Freedom Communications Newspaper

For the four local playoff teams preparing for the first round Thursday, the situation is clear: Win or go home.

At least they get to start off at home — except Silverado, which will begin the postseason against Garey in Pomona.

League champions play host in the first round. As the No. 2 seed in the Desert Sky League, the Hawks drew a road match against the Mt. Baldy League champions.

The team will leave Victorville at 12:30 p.m. on game day.

"I would prefer not to have to travel, but my players are really happy and excited," coach Suzi Paxton said. "They think it's great."

If the players are in the adventurous spirit, it's only fitting that their opponent be somewhat of a surprise.

When playoff time hits in sports like basketball or football, coaches frantically work the phones to compile extensive scouting reports and game film.

"Tennis is a different animal," Paxton said. "The general things aren't very helpful."

Virtually no teams film their matches. It's not like the coaches need to figure out how to solve a zone defense or pitch to an aggressive fastball hitter.

Sure, strategy might come into play against an opponent with a good serve-and-volley game. But the players rotate after each set, so the next guy could just as well be a baseliner.

In all probability, each singles player and doubles squad will face a variety of playing styles and skill levels during a given match. So a team's playoff preparation focuses primarily on itself, not the opponent.

STAYING HOME: As for the teams not commuting for the first round, Serrano might benefit the most with its youth and inexperience. Doubles player Chris Luong is the lone senior on the roster.

Instead of making the 90-mile trip to Temecula, the Diamondbacks will face Chaparral on their familiar home courts in Phelan.

"It's a good advantage," coach Linda Turrill said. "You don't have to be sitting in a hot van, driving an hour and a half, missing school and everything."

In addition to their experience with the High Desert winds, the Diamondbacks will have another home-court asset. They can warm up for an hour before the road team arrives, then watch the opposing players hit before the match.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Singles — There was no shame in second place at the league championships. Players who made it that far qualified for the CIF Individual championships.

Congratulations to all the finalists: DSL champ Patrick McCray of Granite Hills and runner-up Ben Zagala of Silverado; and two-time MRL winner Tenis Taing of Sultana and Apple Valley's Donnie Wicks.

[...]

Gerald Tang can be reached at gtang@vvdailypress.com or 951-6281.

See the full story here.

Area sports roundup

FROM STAFF REPORTS
March 8, 2007 - 7:57AM
© Daily Press, a Freedom Communications Newspaper

[...]

Prep Tennis

* SULTANA 11, SILVERADO 7: At Victorville, Tenis Taing swept his sets - including a key 6-4 victory over Ben Zagala - to lift the Hawks (3-0) to a nonleague victory.
SULTANA SINGLES
Taing 6-4, 6-1, 6-1; Bensenberg 0-6, 5-7, 6-2; Camareno 1-6, 3-6, 6-7 (2).
SULTANA DOUBLES
Archuleta-M. Bishop 6-4, 6-0, 6-3; Haywood-N. Bishop 6-1, Haywood-D. Smith 4-6, 6-3; Buetow-Gentry 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
SILVERADO SINGLES
Zagala 4-6, 6-0, 6-1; Park 1-6, 7-5, 6-3; D. Garcia 1-6, 2-6, 7-6 (2).
SILVERADO DOUBLES
Le-Wishewski 4-6, 1-6, 3-6; Richardson-Marcus 0-6, 6-4, 6-4; Enasco-Song 3-6, 3-6, 3-6

[...]

See the full story here.

Local tennis teams receive CIF draws

FROM STAFF REPORTS
May 7, 2007 - 11:51PM
© Daily Press, a Freedom Communications Newspaper

Granite Hills, Sultana and Serrano will open the CIF-Southern Section boys team tennis playoffs at home, while Silverado will go on the road.

All four teams are scheduled to open the postseason on Thursday at 3 p.m., though times are subject to change. The pairings were announced Monday.

In CIF-SS Division III, Mojave River League champion Sultana will host Redlands East Valley, the No. 2 team out of the Citrus Belt League. MRL No. 2-seed Serrano will host Chaparral, the Southwestern League's No. 2 squad.

In Division IV, Desert Sky League champ Granite Hills will stay home to face the winner of Tuesday's wild-card match between Mark Keppel and San Bernardino. Silverado travels in the first round to face Garey, the No. 1 Mt. Baldy League team.

See the full story here.

Bullock and Frost make it to semi-finals

Matt Bullock and partner Sean Frost made it to the semi-finals of the 16th Woody Tennis Championships in La Quinta, CA. Bullock, a pro at Spring Valley Lake Country Club, has been a regular at The Woody for many years now. His partner is the U.S. representative for Volkl, Klip, and other tennis brands. As you might have guessed by the name, this tournament is played using wooden racquets. It is current held on the grass courts at PGA West Resort.

Bullock won this tournament in 2005 with a different partner.

Mazaheri takes home title

By GERALD TANG / Staff Writer
May 5, 2007 - 11:41PM

VVC wraps up first time hosting tennis regionals

VICTORVILLE — The contrast of Jaleh Mazaheri between points and during them was as sharp as her groundstrokes.

Intensity was a must for the Orange Coast College sophomore, but that didn't mean she was going to be impolite.

Mazaheri defeated nemesis Katherine Chavez of El Camino 6-4, 1-6, 6-2 to win the Southern California Women's Regional Tennis singles championship on Saturday at Victor Valley College.

In a matchup of perhaps the two most consistent baseliners in the tournament, rallies were long and draining.

Yet in a rare display during a tennis match — especially one with the regional championship at stake — Mazaheri thanked her opponent each time for retrieving balls after points.

Even while trying to catch her breath after rallies, Mazaheri made sure to compliment good shots. Chavez reciprocated the sportsmanship.

"I've always been like that," Mazaheri said. "I'm always respectful to players, and I'd like for them to respect me as well. Just to be courteous, it makes it a better match, whether you win or lose."

The diplomacy between the top two seeds in the 40-player singles draw didn't take the edge off an entertaining slugfest.

Despite her 5-foot-2 frame, the top-ranked Chavez showcased tremendous power from the baseline and a deft touch at the net. But Mazaheri's looping topspin forehand kept Chavez from being too aggressive, and she was like a backboard during long rallies.

"She's very, very consistent," said Chavez, who had beaten Mazaheri in two earlier matches this year. "It was tough because I'm not used to it. I'm the type of player who likes to attack, attack, attack. So I'm going through a process where I'm trying to change my game and trying to be calm."

Mazaheri scored a key service break for a 4-2 lead in the first set when a backhand by Chavez sailed long. The OCC standout later took the set on Chavez's serve again.

Up until that point, Chavez had not dropped a set during the three-day event at VVC. She had a first-round bye, then lost only two games total en route to three victories. In the semifinals, Chavez dominated Riverside's Anabel Sanchez — the player who eliminated VVC's Ashley Oliveira — 6-2, 6-2.

So it was no surprise that Chavez responded in the second set, making more aggressive net approaches and whipping her groundstrokes down the line.

But after forcing a decisive third set, Chavez fell out of rhythm and couldn't keep the ball in play consistently.

Serving for the championship at 5-2, Mazaheri outlasted Chavez in another rally for a hard-earned upset victory.

[...]

See the full story here.

Clean sweep for Cougars in DSL tournament

By GERALD TANG / Staff Writer
May 4, 2007 - 11:24PM

APPLE VALLEY — Far and away the two best tennis players in the Desert Sky League met in the singles championship Friday, to the surprise of no one.

Silverado's Ben Zagala would have liked to make it more interesting, but he ran into what must have seemed like an invincible opponent in good buddy Patrick McCray.

Playing on his home courts at Granite Hills, McCray waltzed through the first two rounds of the season-ending tournament before dispatching Zagala in the finals, 6-1, 6-2.

"Pretty much the whole match he was on fire," said Zagala, whose only two league losses this year came against McCray. "I'd hit great shots, and he'd get to them and hit better shots. He played awesome. I can't complain."

The rally of the match came with McCray leading 3-2 in the second set. Zagala closed in for an overhead, only to watch the ball sail over his head. He hustled back and made a spectacular save, then pinned McCray in the corner with a perfect approach shot.

But the Granite Hills senior somehow countered with a running backhand that barely cleared the outstretched racket of Zagala and landed inside the corner.

It was one of several instances when Zagala could only smile and applaud.

"That was the best two sets of tennis Pat's played this year," Granite Hills coach Pat Jenkins said. "Even Ben came off the court and said he felt those were the two best sets he played today, and Patrick never gave him a chance."

Realizing his powerful flat serve would be erratic in the gusting winds, McCray hit all spin serves. So instead of racking up aces as usual, he consistently painted the lines with serves that put Zagala out of position.

That set up McCray's vintage net game, which was on full display all afternoon. Leading 4-0 in the first set, McCray scored three straight points on a beautiful drop volley, sharp backhand volley and a half-volley off a short hop.

McCray double-faulted only three times, which was especially crucial in swirling winds that were so disruptive it was almost comical. One of McCray's shots was on its way over the net when the ball looked like it hit an invisible wall.

"You kind of just have to laugh," McCray said. "If you're really serious and get ticked off every time the wind blows, you're not going to have any fun."

The season is not over for McCray or Zagala. By making it to the league finals, the seniors qualified for the CIF-Southern Section Individual championships in two weeks.

[...]

See the full story here.

Taing rolls to fourth MRL title in a row

FROM STAFF REPORTS
May 4, 2007 - 11:29PM

HESPERIA — Sometimes a one-day tournament can be decided by a player who happens to hit a hot streak. The thing is, Tenis Taing has been riding one the whole season.

The Sultana senior allowed little hope to challengers en route to his second straight singles title at the Mojave River League Individual championships on Friday at Hesperia High School.

Taing overwhelmed Apple Valley's Donnie Wicks in the championship match, 6-0, 6-0.

"I was pretty confident coming into the tournament," said Taing, who finished the season 50-1. "It wasn't easy, I was just on today. It was just one of those days."

As the No. 1 seed, Taing received a first-round bye and didn't drop a game in a second-round victory. Then it was time for a lunch break.

Afterwards, Taing eliminated Rim of the World's Taylor Imperiale 6-2, 6-2 in the semifinals.

With his serves, groundstrokes and net game clicking, Taing felt a long way from earlier this year. A serious groin injury put the senior on crutches shortly before the season, and he's still taking pain medication.

"To win back-to back is a great accomplishment knowing that I came back from so many injuries," said Taing, who also battled through a sprained right elbow. "I never thought about quitting, I put a lot of heart into it."

Taing was rewarded with his fourth league title. He won the doubles championship in his freshman and sophomore seasons.

A pair of singles players teamed to win the doubles title Friday. Serrano's Peter Turrill and Evan Nelson defeated Hesperia's Sagar Patel and Dawan Robinson, 6-4, 0-6, 10-6.

"I knew they had a good chance, but I thought they'd get beat," Serrano coach Linda Turrill said. "So I was pleased."

The singles and doubles finalists qualified for the CIF-Southern Section Individual championships, which begin May 18.

SINGLES

Semifinals

Taing (S) d. Imperiale (R) 6-2, 6-2.
Wicks (A) d. Thoms (H) 6-2, 6-7 (4), 10-8.

Consolation

Imperiale (R) d. Thoms (H) 6-2, 6-3.

Finals

Taing (S) d. Wicks (A) 6-0, 6-0.

DOUBLES

Semifinals

Turrill-Nelson (Se.) d. Bishop-Archuleta (Su.) 6-1, 6-1.
Patel-Robinson (H) d. Tate-Long (Se.) 6-3, 6-3.

Consolation

Bishop-Archuleta (Su.) d. Tate-Long (Se.) 7-5, 6-3.

Finals

Turrill-Nelson (Se.) d. Patel-Robinson (H) 6-4, 0-6, 10-6.

See the full story here.

Oliveira cruises into 3rd round

By GERALD TANG / Staff Writer
May 4, 2007 - 12:02AM

VVC freshman can qualify for state with win today

VICTORVILLE — By the time she discarded her warmup pants, Ashley Oliveira was already up 3-0.

As nonchalant as the Victor Valley College freshman looked Thursday, this wasn't the time to mess around, not at her debut in the Southern California Women's Regional Tennis championships.

Looking comfortable on her home court, Oliveira breezed past Cuyamaca College's Jovita Sanders 6-2, 6-2 to advance to the third round. A win today against nemesis Anabel Sanchez of Riverside College would put Oliveira in the quarterfinals.

And more important, it would qualify her for the state tournament next week in Aptos. It will be a daunting task against Sanchez, the No. 3 seed at regionals.

In a regular-season matchup earlier this year, Sanchez swept Oliveira without dropping a game.

"She's just really consistent," Oliveira said. "She has powerful groundstrokes. She moves you side-to-side. She hits the line, and it's impossible to get to pretty much."

One potential advantage for Oliveira is her familiarity with those capricious High Desert winds. Against Sanders, the former Sultana standout mixed power and touch masterfully.

Several times Oliveira lofted defensive lobs that landed inches in front of the baseline. She blasted forehands down the line and pounced at the net.

It was all too much for Sanders, who was coming off a three-hour marathon match in the first round earlier in the morning. Her three-set victory over Santa Monica's Masoki Hashimoto included rallies of more than 45 shots, according to coach Pam Farmer.

Oliveira was one of 24 players who received first-round byes in the 40-player draw.

"I figured she was exhausted," Oliveira said. "I just tried to move her back and forth."

On the first set point, Oliveira put away a backhand volley. It was part of a streak of seven straight games for Oliveira, including the first five of the second set.

"I was actually very intimidated," said Sanders, a sophomore who was named the Pacific Coast Conference Player of the Year. "She looked so serious. She was ready."

Her stoic demeanor might have made an impression on the opponent, but it was more for Oliveira's own benefit.

"If I get myself all worked up and nervous, I usually start screwing up," she said. "I don't hit my shots. But when I go out there and not think about it, I can do it, just like practice basically."

The mentality disappeared when it came time for doubles play. In a surprising reversal, Oliveira's trusty arsenal — forehands, lobs, volleys — were ineffective when she teamed with Rosey Reveron against Palomar College's Taylor Woodbury and Shanthe Mandrayar.

[...]

See the full story here.

Memorial Day tournament dates set

The Spring Valley Lake Country Club has announced the dates for the 19th Annual Desert Community Bank/Citizen's Volunteer Corps Memorial Day Open Tennis Championships. The A, B, C, and Junior division early rounds will be held Saturday, May 26th through Monday, May 28th. The finals for the A, B, C, and Junior division finals will be held Saturday, June 2 and Sunday, June 3.

The Men's and Women's Open Division rounds will take place Friday, June 1 through Sunday, June 3.

Sign-up forms are available at the SVLCC Pro Shop, or on-line here:

* PDF file

* Word document

VVC to host regional tennis championships

For the first time ever, VVC will host the Southern California Women's Regional Tennis championships, beginning Thursday, May 3, at 9 a.m. The tournament will draw 40 top singles players and 40 doubles squads from about 35 community colleges in the region.

In preparation, the college is upgrading the courts so they'll be ready for the visitors. In this, the college is ably assisted by Earl Goldman. If you're in the area, check out how nice the courts are looking.

See the full story here.

Tennis notebook: Not the time for teamwork

By GERALD TANG / Staff Writer
May 1, 2007 - 11:53PM
© Daily Press, a Freedom Communications Newspaper

After a season full of team spirit, it's every man for himself now.

An individual sport finally becomes an individual sport when the Desert Sky League and Mojave River League championships kick off Friday. Each tournament pits the top 15 singles players and 15 doubles squads against each other in a single-elimination draw.

To determine the bracket, the players are ranked by coaches' vote. The top seed receives a first-round bye, which is especially a bonus during a one-day marathon that starts at 8 a.m. (The MRL held the tournament over two days in the past, but coaches voted to change it this year, partly out of concern for academic testing).

With each school sending its three best singles players and doubles squads, matchups between teammates are inevitable. Reigning champ Apple Valley advanced five players to the MRL finals last year: both doubles finalists and singles runner-up Neil Panjwani.

"I tell them each, 'You're the best,'" Apple Valley coach Linda Esquivel said, laughing. "I say the same things privately to them, make them feel equal."

Sun Devils senior Donnie Wicks knows the feeling. Coming off a 27-0 league record in his sophomore season, Wicks lost to Panjwani in last year's MRL tournament.

During preseason, Wicks and junior teammate Ethan Stockton squared off in the Scorpion Invitational. Each won a set before Stockton prevailed in a tiebreaker.

On Friday, the finalists in singles and doubles will earn an invite to the CIF-Southern Section Individual championships. Wicks said he might have a better shot at a deep postseason run on the doubles side.

"I would like to go further in CIF," he said. "I've played CIF singles in past years, and the the guys are very good. It's a tough task."

AND THEN THERE'S THE PLAYOFFS: The top three teams in each league earn a CIF playoff berth. In the MRL, Sultana, Serrano and Rim of the World are locked in the top three slots. Granite Hills and Silverado are set in the DSL, while the final spot will go to either Burroughs or Barstow.

The regular season ends today, and the playoffs start Tuesday. The MRL will compete in Division III, while the DSL plays in Division IV.

TRIVIA TIME: Serrano's No. 1 singles player Sam Sussman is the nephew of former Major League Baseball slugger Brady Anderson.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Singles — Silverado senior Ben Zagala has been sharp since the season opener, and he's only getting stronger. Zagala led the way in two crucial DSL victories, sweeping against Barstow and Victor Valley by a combined score of 36-6.

[...]

Gerald Tang can be reached at gtang@vvdailypress.com or 951-6281.

See the full story here.