Sage advances past Estancia

Bryce Alderton

With Advanced Placement tests on the minds of many of his players,

Sage Hill School boys tennis coach A.G. Longoria has stressed the

importance of getting an early start on projects and studies to avoid

any last-minute cramming and sleep deprivation that could cause

sluggish performances on the court.

Seems the Lightning heeded their coach’s advice, just in time for

their first test of the CIF Southern Section Division V playoffs

against visiting Estancia Thursday at the Balboa Bay Club Racquet

Club.

Sage Hill, which reached the Division V quarterfinals a year ago,

jumped to a 5-1 lead and cruised to a 15-3 first-round triumph over

the Eagles Thursday.

The Lightning, ranked No. 5 in the final Division V poll, face

Beaumont in Saturday’s second round at 2 p.m. A coin flip today will

decide the host team. The winner advances to Tuesday’s quarterfinals.

Sage (14-7), runner-up in the Academy League, swept all nine

doubles sets against the Eagles (11-7), with its closest match a 6-4

victory for senior Daniel Chin and junior Tyler Ross against

Estancia’s Chris Alvergue and Cesar Gonzalez.

The Lightning’s tandem of freshmen Karam Sethi and Grant Gerdau

swept all three matches while Chin and Ross, along with Michael

Garrison and Conrad Whitaker, each won twice before giving way to

reserves after Sage had secured its 10th point.

Longoria didn’t expect a victory margin that large.

“I was really surprised we did so well in doubles,” Longoria said.

“I thought we could stake a 4-2 lead, then hang on, 3-3, 3-3, in the

next two rounds. We got ahead early and that can knock the wind out

of most teams.”

Estancia junior Scott Braunsdorf, who finished second in the

Golden West League singles tournament, lost just five games in

sweeping in the No. 1 spot. He will compete in the CIF Southern

Section individual tournament, which begins May 20.

Estancia Coach Rachel de los Santos said that Sage is the best

Division V team the Eagles faced this season.

“They are consistent all the way across,” de los Santos said. “I

thought we would get a couple more wins, but we have a tough time

versus them. Our doubles players aren’t tournament players, they are

self-taught. But I’m happy with the way they played.”

Senior Tristan Cordier, playing after an extended absence due to

mononucleosis, won twice as did teammates Robert Wee and Martin Park

for Sage.

Park, who battled flu-like symptoms in the latter half of the

season, filled in admirably in Cordier’s absence, Longoria said.

Whitaker, a sophomore, and Garrison, a junior, have teamed for

more than 40 doubles victories this season to lead the team.

Whitaker said the Lightning, who lost only one senior from last

year’s squad, entered this year’s playoffs in a determined mind-set.

“All we are is growing and improving,” Whitaker said. “We are a

better team than last year.”

Whitaker said CIF brings added nerves, but playing at home carries

a welcome advantage.

“It’s convenient,” he said. “It saves on our energy so we don’t

wear down.”

CIF Division V

First round

Sage Hill 15,

Estancia 3

Singles -- Cordier (SH) lost to Braunsdorf, 2-6, def. Fisher, 6-2,

def. Nelson, 6-0; Park (SH) lost, 3-6, won, 6-4, 6-2; Wee (SH) lost,

0-6, won, 6-3, 6-0.

Doubles -- Chin-Ross (SH) def. Thompson-Fennessey, 6-0, def.

Alvergue-Gonzalez, 6-4, (subs) Rispler-Zilberberg (SH) def. (subs)

Avella-Ross, 6-2; (sub) Russo-Larson-Whitaker (SH) won, 6-1,

Garrison-Whitaker won, 6-2, def. Do-Raymond, 6-1; Sethi-Gerdau (SH)

won, 6-2, 6-2, 6-2.