By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor You could see the disappointment on the faces of the young men from Maranatha. A season that began with little to no expectations ended in the CIF-SS Division 4 finals at the Claremont Club Friday afternoon. The Minutemen went 7-2 in singles, but the Grizzlies all but claimed the championship […]
By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor
You could see the disappointment on the faces of the young men from Maranatha.
A season that began with little to no expectations ended in the CIF-SS Division 4 finals at the Claremont Club Friday afternoon.
The Minutemen went 7-2 in singles, but the Grizzlies all but claimed the championship with nine doubles wins without a loss.
Los Osos, the top seed, held on for a 11-7 victory and the D4 championship.
Matthew Alleman, the No. 1 singles player for Maranatha, lost his first match to Los Osos’ Tim Kams.
Alleman led 3-0 in the match, but Kams took the set, 6-4.
Alleman then went on to beat Johnny Kams and Everett Klomp, 6-2, 6-1, respectively.
Bryan Lin also went 2-1.
Lin dropped a 6-1 decision to Tim Kams, but he then went on to defeat Johnny Kams and Klomp, 6-2, 6-1, just like Alleman.
The most successful player of the day for the Minutemen was No. 3 singles player, Daniel Guan.
Guan went 3-0, including a 6-3 victory over Los Osos’ No. 1 player Tim Kams.
It was Tim Kams’ only loss of the day.
Drew Sierra and Billy Tan, the Maranatha No. 1 doubles team and reigning Olympic League champs, went 0-3, as did the No. 2 and No. 3 doubles teams for the Minutemen.
But along with Alleman, Sierra and Tan qualified for the CIF individuals being played next week.
Quotable:
Maranatha coach Arthur Hsieh: “We knew that we had to come in and play strong doubles. We knew singles would get what they get. We had an upset (Alleman loss). The doubles were tight all the way. I am really proud of their character.
Maranatha senior Matthew Alleman: “I am really proud of our team and how far we’ve come. We had never been to the finals, so that’s just awesome. We all worked so hard.”
Maranatha senior Bryan Lin: “In the beginning of the season, I wasn’t expecting our team to go that far. But to see where we stand now, I am really proud. Our coach really pushed us. He always tells us about competitive greatness, where you always produce your best, and that drove us.”
Maranatha senior Drew Sierra: “I was glad to be a part of the building of the tennis community. Everyone on the team stepped up to a new level and exceeded expectations. Our coach teaches us every day that will help us not only on the court, but in life. I hope the younger guys can take some of the leadership roles and keep expectations high.”
