Boys Tennis - Spring 2009 Outlook
In 2008 the Pilots, defeated
Carson for the first time in 15+ years, finished with the best record in league play in perhaps the last 15+ years, finished
in 2nd place in the Marine League for the 2nd time in the last 3 years, sent 8 out of 10 starters to
the individual playoffs, won more team and individual matches in perhaps the past 15+ years, advanced all the way to the quarterfinals
of the playoffs, and had countless of other "firsts" and historic milestones. The 2009 team will have a lot
of ground to make up in order to try and match those accomplishments.
However, 2009 is a new year, with
an almost completely new crop of players. While 2008 was a great ride, almost the entire starting lineup (8/10) graduated.
Adding to the challenges of recovering from those losses was the fact that 2-3 projected starters are starting off the season
ineligible and won't be available until the last 2 games of the regular season. Seemingly, the Pilots will have
an uphill battle the whole way through.
While the Pilots are not returning a single player who was a
full time starter in 2008, it is returning 3 starters with significant varsity experience: Hernan Suarez, Ignacio Torres &
Ricardo Zaragoza. All 3 played in 13 of the team's 18 matches, while Zaragoza also played in the individual tournament.
Suarez & Zaragoza were both serious contenders for the Rookie of the Year Award while Torres was the JV Player of the
Year. All three seem ready and anxious at the opportunities that await them this spring as full time starters &
leaders on the team. The biggest challenge for them will be their new roles. Whereas last season they all competed
for the final three spots on varsity, this season they are the clear-cut #s 1-3. They are vastly improved thanks to
their off-season work & dedication, and they are definitely hungry for the opportunity to prove themselves.
Two
returners from the JV ranks who will be counted on to also make the adjustment are Justin Garcia & Diego Mayorga.
While Mayorga didn't play any varsity matches, he did notch some wins versus varsity competition in exhibition play.
Garcia, on the other hand, has played 2 matches at varsity and is now in his 3rd year with the team with many matches
under his belt.
The final five spots in the varsity lineup will all be filled by players brand new to
the sport. Joseph Mejia seems to have an early advantage as he joined the team for workouts in the fall. However,
Marcus Macias, Carmello Jaramillo & Victor Duran all seem to have made up a lot of ground and figure to be regular fixtures
in the starting rotation as well.
Daniel Gomez & Miguel Pila will apparently battle it out for the
last spot, although with their lack of experience, anyone could grab that spot in time. Hungry for that opportunity
seem to be three late-comers who came from other sports after their season was over. Hector Briseno came over from JV
soccer, while Eric Mendez & Kevin Reyes are making the transition from JV basketball. Alex Chun seems to also be
in the mix, as does Kwang Lee.
Rounding out the team is Steve Chavez, Robert Guerrero & Eloy Ruiz.
Consistently improving and eyeing a spot next year seems to be where they're at, for now. It wouldn't come as
a surprise, however, if any one of those three makes a big move before the season's out.
Despite
the overall lack of experience on this year's squad, there is comfort in the fact that the Pilots were comfortably ahead
of the bottom three teams in the league in 2008. The Pilots swept Gardena, San Pedro & Washington by a combined
42-0 mark. The Pilots must stay vigilant, however, if they plan on repeating a sweep of those three. Not out of
reach, is the challenge of Narbonne, who split the season series with Banning in 2008, yet returns more starters than the
Pilots. Carson, returning two former city-champs (one in singles in 2007, the other in doubles in 2008), seems to be
the favorite to repeat as league champ, but must also remember that the Pilots stole one from them early last season.
With four seniors, seven juniors, five sophomores and three freshmen on the roster, this year's team seems
to have the right balance to be successful now & be prepared for the future as well. With a long and tough pre-season
schedule, the Pilots will definitely be ready once league play begins. Additionally, if the Pilots are able to perform
well enough to garner a post-season berth, they could do some serious damage, especially if they are joined by the previously
mentioned players that are currently ineligible: Jonathan Melgar, Jesus Valladolid & Danny Quinonez. Melgar was
a full-time starter the last 2 years in a row, and would now be in his 4th year with the team. Valladolid
is a returning JV player who was also projected to start, while Quinonez will also challenge for one of the last spots in
the varsity rotation.
This will definitely be a year of growth and challenges, but these Pilots are
dedicated and seem poised to step up to those challenges and have a successful season. Go Pilots!
