Thanks to Maranatha for this report:
Boys Tennis:
Entering in the final day of the Coastal League Individuals Tournament, the seeds held true to form, as the top 4 seeds in both the singles and doubles draws made their way into today’s semi-finals.
In doubles, the #3 seed, Maranatha’s top team of Jordan Miao/Joshua Im, squared off against the #2 seed from Geffen Academy at UCLA, Jackson SooHoo/Oliver Lewis. The first set was a back and forth affair, with each team trading blows. The final blow was struck by Miao/Im, giving them the first set, 7-5. Sensing an opportunity to apply more pressure, they came out big in the second set, jumping out to a 3-0, then a 4-1 lead, which lead to a hard-fought final two games, with multiple deuces; but Miao/Im were able to stay composed, winning the set and the match, 6-1, and completing the upset.
In the other semi-final, the #4 seed from Village Christian, Andrew Das/Karen Shin faced the #1 seed from Geffen, Lachlan McDermott/Jake Matlof. Shin was able to play for the Crusaders’ boys team under CIF-SS rules, which allow girls whose schools don’t have a girls team to play for the boys team. Shin established herself this tournament as one of the best and fiercest doubles players in the league, such that by the semifinals, onlookers only saw her as a legitimate force, not as a curiosity. That recognition deepened, as she and Das upset the top seed with a 6-0, 7-6(4) win.
The championship match between the #3 and #4 seeds was one worthy of the finals, as both teams played to their strengths, while capitalizing on their opponents’ weaknesses. After starting the match 0-2 and nearly 0-3, Miao/Im were fortunate to pull within 2-1 on a double fault. They then pulled ahead 3-2, and then traded games before sealing the set, 6-4. The second set saw Das/Shin once again jump out to an early 2-0 lead, breaking Im’s serve in the first game. Miao/Im roared back to build 3-2, 4-3, and 5-4 leads. With their backs against the wall, Das/Shin responded to pull ahead, 6-5, with a chance to force a championship-deciding 3rd set super tie-breaker. It was not to be, as Im fired off 3 consecutive first serves that helped even the set 6-6 to force a tie-breaker. That too remained close throughout, with Miao/Im securing the 7-5 tie-breaker win and claiming the doubles championship.
The most compelling match of the singles draw was the matchup between Maranatha teammates and good friends, #2 Nico Engling and #3 Timothy Huang. With nearly identical league records (19-1 and 19-2), it promised to be a tense, close … and awkward … match, one that their coach, Arthur Hsieh, couldn’t really watch. For him, it was like watching two sons play one another. The match lived up to its promise. Both Engling and Huang brought the best out of each other, with Engling winning the first set, 6-3, and Huang responding with a 6-4 second set win, forcing a third set 10-point super tie-breaker to decide the winner. It was a tie-breaker of spurts, as Engling sprinted ahead, 4-1. Huang responded to make it 4-4. Engling then pulled ahead 7-4. Once again, Huang fought back to even it at 7-7. Engling had the next and final spurt, winning 10-7. There was no doubt amongst onlookers that had the tie-breaker been up to 13, Huang would have evened it at 10-10.
Engling advanced to the championship match to face the #1 seed, undfeated nationally ranked Julian Rousseau-Tuan, the league’s undisputed best player. Engling stood his ground and faced Rousseau-Tuan head on and continuing to play his best tennis. Nonethless, he succumbed, 6-1, 6-2, his best showing against him.
In the consolation match, Huang defeated #4 Elijah Ngai of Village Christian, 6-3, 6-4, earning the alternate spot for the upcoming CIF-SS Individuals Tournament, where Miao/Im and Engling will represent the Coastal League as doubles and singles representatives.
Next up for the CIF-SS #3 ranked Minutemen (13-1 overall; 7-1 in league) are the CIF-SS team playoffs. Maranatha is expected to be one of the top 4 seeds, but won’t know for sure until the draws are released on Monday.
Pictured: Im, Miao, Coach Hsieh, Engling, Huang
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