Southern Section Team Tennis : University Hopes Doubles Can Down the Dons

University High School will pit its depth and power in doubles play against two-time defending section champion Santa Barbara in the Southern Section 5-A team tennis final at the Racquet Club of Irvine today at 5 p.m.

The top-seeded Trojans (22-1) have yet to meet the Dons (23-0) this season, and hope to vindicate their two losses to Santa Barbara over the last three years.

In the program’s 10-year history, University has advanced to the Southern Section final three times without victory. Last year, they lost to eventual champion Miraleste, 13-5, in the semifinals.

“We’ve been knocking on that door for so long,” Coach Gary Sisel said. “But this year’s group of kids have the capability plus the guts to do the job.”

No. 1 singles player Carlos Bustos (50-3) could supply a tremendous boost for University if he can beat Bill Miller, who defeated Corona del Mar power Mike Briggs, 6-3, 6-3, in the Southern Section individual championship semifinals Saturday.

Bustos, a freshman, combines a strong baseline game with aggressive serve and volley play. Miller relies on much the same strategies, though he may be fatigued from the weekend tournament.

Bustos is followed closely by senior Carsten Hoffmann (48-5), who will attend UC Irvine in the fall. Hoffman has a powerful serve and more than seven years of tournament experience in his native West Germany.

The Trojans’ third singles spot won’t be decided until this morning, but Sisel has two fine players from which to choose.

Junior Richard Stillwagon lost at No. 3 singles (7-5, 0-6, 5-7) in the Trojans’ 10-8 semifinal victory over Palos Verdes Thursday. But senior Randy Ermert, who suffered a severly damaged eye when he was hit by a ball in last month’s match against Dana Hills, has been regaining his form in practice and may be ready.

Jeff Kizer and Steve Lappin have been the Trojans’ No. 1 doubles team all season, though they were defeated by University’s No. 3 team, Willi Dann and Peter Bohan, in the Sea View League final.

Kizer and Lappin could have a tough match against Brent Peus and Dan Medvene, the top-ranked doubles team in the individual competition.

Juniors Shawn Wainwright and David Le will play in the second doubles slot.

In the 4-A final:

Dana Hills (20-0) vs. Servite (19-3) at the Laguna Niguel Racquet Club, 2 p.m.--The Dolphins have been the top-ranked 4-A team all season. After losing to Calabasas in last year’s final, Dana Hills will concentrate on the No. 3 spots--Estaban Saba in singles and Tim Potter and Kurt Reiner in doubles--for its winning edge.

Gavin Fenske (47-10) and sophomore Ryan Gately (25-8) are the Dolphins’ singles leaders, while Southern Section individual doubles champions Neel Grover and Stan Sanders (49-2) are expected to supply Dana Hills with a three-set sweep.

Servite hopes for three strong singles performances to lead them to victory. Jeff Belloli (39-3) and twin brother Chris (47-13) have led the Friars all season and are joined by senior Chris Aitken in the third singles spot. Jason Chung and Mark Gothard (65-5) are the doubles leaders, Dennis Chang and Mike Telford the No. 2 team, and Sergio Piana and Ron Picazo fill the third slot.

In the 2-A final:

Valencia (23-1) vs Righetti (21-1) at the Anaheim Tennis Center, 2:30 p.m.--Leading the top-seeded Tigers is freshman Danny Yu (61-10), who swept his singles sets, 6-1, 6-0, 6-0, in a semifinal against South Hills. Yu employs an even mix of serve/volley and baseline games, and is adept at making needed adjustments.

Another freshman, Sang Yim, has been a pleasant surprise for the Tigers in the No. 2 position after spending the season at No. 3, a spot now filled by sophomore Paul Rygalski. The No. 1 doubles team of Eric Flint and Minh Ai (51-3) were Orange League champions. The No. 2 doubles team of juniors Colin Robinson and Charles Lee is 59-7, and Gerrod Van Engen and Ryan Takenaga (60-8) fill spot three.

Last season, Valencia was defeated in the 2-A semifinals by defending champion Loyola. Righetti is the 2-A’s third seed and coming off a 10-8 semifinal victory over Kepple last week.