October 10, 2024

OC Sports Zone: Community First

Uni boys tennis team defeats CdM and celebrates another CIF championship

Members of the University High School tennis program and Coach John Kessler celebrate with the championship plaque. (Photos courtesy University tennis).

University High School’s boys tennis team did it again Friday at the Claremont Club.

Coach John Kessler’s Trojans defeated Pacific Coast League rival Corona del Mar 12-6 to win the CIF open division title, the highest division for tennis.

It’s the 12th CIF title for University and the 11th for Kessler.

Uni’s top two doubles teams swept CdM’s three sets, according to Kessler.

Junior captain SangHyuk Im and junior Bradley Yung at No. 1 doubles and senior Andrew Ke and freshmen Langston Walter-Wu at No. 2 doubles notched wins for University.

“Senior James MacDonald won a big set in the first round, coming back to beat CdM’s top player Niels Hoffman in a tiebreak while Mimo Alajeely won 6-4 at third singles to give Uni a 5-1 lead after the first round,” Kessler said.

Kessler said Sunday how proud he was of the program.

“Each playoff run has its own feel or personality,” he said.  “For this particular team and season, we had six new players in the lineup and team chemistry was actually one of the best we’ve ever had.

“This record breaking win as well as the previous titles stands on the shoulders of so many players, parents, coaches and the whole Uni community.  It has taken a village to accomplish everything this program has and I am very grateful to everyone who has been part of it.”

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