Hinds’ Victories Hand Saddleback Team Tennis Title

Carl Hinds won the singles championship and teamed with Stan Sanders to win the doubles title, leading Saddleback College to the state community college men’s team tennis championship Sunday at Santa Barbara.

Saddleback finished with eight points. Santa Barbara and West Valley tied for second with five points. Saddleback, which won the dual-match team competition Friday and finished 24-0, has won either the dual match or team title three years in a row.

Saddleback Coach Bill Otta said the Gauchos were likely the best team in his 12 years as coach.

“This is one of the top community college tennis teams in history,” he said.

Hinds defeated Santa Barbara’s John Fox, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, in the singles final after defeating John Swaino of Cypress, 2-6, 7-6 (7-5), 7-5, in a semifinal match. Swaino had won both the Orange Empire Conference and Southern California titles.

In doubles, Hinds and Sanders beat Jimmy Yamanka and Monty Basnyat of West Valley, 6-2, 6-0, in the finals after defeating Long Beach’s Anthony Cortez and John Imel, 6-4, 6-2, in the semis.