For Top Players, It’s Matter of Choice

For the second consecutive year, the Southern Section Individual tournament and the Quiksilver Open Junior Championships are going head to head--forcing high school players to make a decision.

Some players such as Aaron Yovan of University, Patrick Buchanan of Servite and Garrett Snyder of Corona del Mar have chosen to represent their schools in the individual tournament, which is Friday and Saturday at Seacliff Tennis Club in Huntington Beach. Others, such as Cameron Ball of Corona del Mar and Jeffrey Das of Troy, are entered in both tournaments.

Jack Li of University and Kevin McQuaid of Los Alamitos have opted for Quiksilver over the high school event. Quiksilver, a U.S. Tennis Assn. event, is Saturday through Tuesday at Los Caballeros Racquet Club.

Annette Broersma, tournament director for Quiksilver, said the scheduling conflict is unfortunate.

“It’s tough,” Broersma said. “I had a problem finding any date that doesn’t conflict. These kids need good sectional and national rankings to get college scholarships. And for those who need another tournament, [Quiksilver] becomes a good option.

“I think high school involvement is a good thing, but their final [high school] ranking is not that important. College coaches don’t mind at all that the kid didn’t play for individual glory. That shows you made the wise decision, that you played for your team and not individual glory.”

Corona del Mar Coach Tim Mang wonders why players are having to choose between high school and junior events.

“It’s time that maybe the heads sit down together and really think about kids,” Mang said. “They can work this out. If [tennis associations] can’t respect academics and team, then what are we doing? Just putting out a bunch of professional tennis players?”

Ball and Das will not have a conflict unless they reach the semifinals at Seacliff. Broersma said no accommodations will be made for those players who have matches at both sites.

“I would advise them to play high school,” she said. “We have 35 players on a waiting list for my tournament.”

Paul Castillo, Southern Section assistant commissioner in charge of tennis, said he hopes the Quiksilver can be moved to June next year.

“I’d like to see the kids play for their schools,” he said. “If a kid has gotten that far and is that well known, I don’t know if this one [junior] tournament is going to make or break them. I think it shows a lot of character to stay loyal to your team and follow something through.”

Out for Revenge

University’s Yovan has one target in mind during the section individual event: Buchanan. At the Ojai tournament on April 28, Buchanan, a junior, defeated Yovan in the interscholastic singles final, 6-3, 1-6, 7-5. In the third set, Buchanan trailed, 4-3, but rallied for the victory. He became the first Orange County player to win the championship since 1998, when it was won by Servite’s Ryan Moore.

“I don’t know when we are going to meet, but I’m sure we will,” said Yovan, who advanced to the round of 16 with two easy victories at Costa Mesa Tennis Center Saturday. “I’m looking forward to it. If there is one match I want to play, that is the one.”

Buchanan and teammate Jonathan Sanchez qualified for the section individuals with two straight-set victories Saturday at the University of Redlands. Sergio Modoc of El Dorado also qualified, giving the county six players in the 16-player singles draw.

In doubles at Redlands, Bret Van Linge and Bijan Noroozi of Woodbridge, John Nguyen and Travis Kula of Canyon, Chris Young and Trevor Cunningham of Aliso Niguel advanced to Seacliff.

Trying to Stay Alive

Ball, a junior, hasn’t had it easy the last few years during the section playoffs.

As a sophomore, he was forced to withdraw from the section individual tournament when growing pains got to be too much. A sudden growth spurt caused such agonizing pain in his legs, he couldn’t continue.

This year as the individual tournament begins, Ball is just getting back on the court after suffering through a bout of mononucleosis. He missed 2 1/2 weeks of school and the Easter Bowl tournament in Palm Springs, but recovered in time to compete at Ojai. He is only now beginning to feel like himself.

“I feel good,” Ball said after easily advancing through the first two rounds of the individual preliminaries. “It was a good day to work on my shots.”

Staff writer Melanie Neff contributed to this story.

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