Uni boys tennis team earns All-American tourney title and coach gets 800th career victory

University’s boys tennis team, along with Coach John Kessler (first row, far right) had a big day Saturday. (Photo courtesy University athletics).

University High School’s boys tennis team won the All-American tournament Saturday at the Palisades tennis club winning its fourth national title, according to University Coach John Kessler, who also celebrated his 800th career victory coaching the boys and girls teams.

“University became the first team to win four titles with The Menlo School, CdM and Torrey Pines, all with three apiece,” Kessler said.

University also won the title in 2009, 2011, 2013.

The Trojans defeated Arcadia (8-0) and Claremont high schools (7-1) in the preliminary rounds before getting past Calabasas high (7-1) in the semifinal match.

Kessler earned his 800th career victory against Calabasas. In 21 years coaching the boys he has 460 wins and for the girls, 341 for a total of 801.

In the championship match, the Trojans fell behind 1-2 after doubles play to the Menlo School from Atherton before winning five of six singles for the 6-3 victory.

“Captains Conrad Brown and Zino Mirtorabi won all 4 singles sets they played while going 3-1 in doubles,” Kessler said. “Both were named to the all-tournament team along with Anl Gupta who also swept his four singles sets while winning the only doubles set he played.

“Freshman Winner Okey, sophomore Sanghyuk Im, and seniors Omar Khayat and Konrad Walter-Wu also contributed for the Trojans.”

University is 16-0 overall and ranked number one in Orange County and the CIF open division and No. 1 in the state, Kessler added.