2009 California Classic Champions: Pali High Dolphins!

     The Boys Team again captured the prestigious California High School Tennis Classic Division II Title in the two-day event in Fresno, March 6-7. On Friday, the team opened up with an impressive 6-0 victory over host Clovis North HS. Subbing in doubles, senior Kenneth Choi played very well as team captain Jeremy Shore was feeling ill and resting at the hotel. In their second match Pali defeated El Diamante (Porterville) 4-2 winning the #3 singles and sweeping the doubles. Choi again filled in for Shore.

         In the one of their closest matches ever, Pali edged host, #1 seed, and bitter rival Clovis West.  Shore returned and with partner Spencer Lewin lost a heartbreaker 14-12 in the 3rd set super tiebreaker. The score was 3-3 in matches won. The first tiebreaker was sets won, again tied 7-7. The next tiebreaker was games won and again the two teams were tied at 50-50. The last tiebreaker was who won #1 singles. When the match was 3-2 CW, senior Justin Atlan came back to win the second set and then  easily captured the super tiebreaker 10-3 to clinch the victory for the Dolphin netmen. Also contributing wins were in singles Max Licona, and in doubles Che Borja and Kramer Waltke.

      In the final three rounds on Saturday, Pali continued to improve its play and won three more matches to take the crown. In the first match, Pali defeated Bullard (Fresno) ) 5-1 winning at all #3 singles spots and at #s1 and 3 doubles. Atlan defeated Nick Papac, (#41 in Nor Cal 18s), 3-6,6-4,10-1. Next the Dolphins defeated the #1 team in Bakersfield, Stockdale, 4-2. Pali won #3 singles and all 3 doubles in straight sets dropping only 16 games in 8 sets.

     In their final match for the championship, Pali played old City rival Taft of Woodland Hills. Taft was also undefeated and these two teams battled for the CIF - LA City Title last spring with Taft edging Pali 15 - 14 1/2  by capturing the last singles set in a tiebreaker . Pali was determined to avenge the close loss and to set the tone for this year's City Playoffs. Taft dramatically changed their lineup in an attempt to defeat Pali by dropping their #2 and #3 singles players into doubles. But Pali was not to be denied. Taft's lineup was a gamble that put "all their eggs in four baskets" leading to an early 2-0 lead for Pali as Kyung Choi and Max Licona won easliy at #2 and #3 singles. The added strength that Taft used to beef up their doubles only made the determined Dolphin doubles teams work a liitle harder to sweep all 6 sets . Brandon Clark, Spencer Pekar, Borja, Waltke, Lewin, and Shore rose to the occasion to play their best doubles in the tournament.  Freshman Myles Rogers-Halliday also contributed to the team's success in Fresno.

      Coupled with Pali's 12-6 season opening victory in round one of the 3rd Annual Bay Area Classic over Santa Monica, the Dolphins are off to strong start as they attempt to defend their Western League Championship and to recapture the LA City Team title. Pali opens its league season when it  plays Venice at home on Monday (tommorow, 3/9) at 2:00 at Palisades Park.  (Pali won 7-0. See "Schedule" for results updates.)