Boys tennis: Sea Kings visit Seraphs

Barry Faulkner

VENTURA - Corona del Mar High boys tennis coach Tim Mang has

instructed his players to bring music, a book and a pillow for the long

bus ride to today’s CIF Southern Section Division V quarterfinal playoff

match at Ventura-based St. Bonaventure.

But, if this round is anything like the first two for the top-seeded

Sea Kings, a little snooze time in traffic may not be the only source of

yawns.

“Well, (St. Bonaventure) beat Cate, 12-6 (in Thursday’s second round),

and Cate usually has a pretty good program,” Mang said, when asked if

today’s 3:15 p.m. meeting would be another ho-hum affair for the Sea

Kings (20-0).

Still, CdM, competing for the first time below Division I (a Southern

Section rule change forces schools to remain in their enrollment-based

divisions) has made a habit out of dominating playoff foes.

The Pacific Coast League champions defeated Orange Lutheran, 18-0, in

the first round, then handled Webb, 17-1, in Friday’s second round. And

both of those victories were earned with less than the Sea Kings’ premium

lineup.

Mang, however, said he will begin playing his A team today, in order

to keep things sharp for the subsequent semifinal and final.

“We’ll use everyone except for one guy,” Mang said. “And I’m still

experimenting a little bit with our doubles.”

CdM singles standouts Cameron Ball, Brian Morton and Garrett Snyder

combined to win 54 of 56 games against Webb and they are expected to form

a devastating trio against the Tri-Valley League champion Seraphs.

Ball, the 1999 PCL singles champion, lost in this year’s league

singles final to Aaron Yovan of University.

Morton, who will play collegiately at UC Irvine, teamed with Snyder to

win the PCL doubles crown, defeating teammates and defending league

champions Peter Kulmaticki and Michael Bean.

Kulmaticki played doubles with Randy Myers Friday, but Mang said he

will pair Kulmaticki with senior Justin Ning today.

Seniors Shaan Wadhwa and Ryan Stockwell are expected to play together

at No. 3 doubles.

St. Bonaventure swept Nordhoff, 18-0, in the first round.

Today’s winner will advance to Thursday’s semifinal against either No.

4-seeded Harvard Westlake or Whitney.