SOUTHERN SECTION 4-A TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS : University Falls to Santa Barbara

IRVINE —  University High School met Santa Barbara in the Southern Section 4-A tennis championship Wednesday and the result was almost a foregone conclusion.

Almost . Santa Barbara, (25-0) arguably the best team in the nation, defeated University, 14-4, at the Racquet Club of Irvine for its 85th consecutive victory.

Santa Barbara, which has not lost a match since 1988 when it fell to Beverly Hills, wrapped up its ninth Southern Section major division championship and third 4-A title when the Dons went ahead, 10-2, at the end of the second round.

University’s Joey Frantz lost to Santa Barbara’s No. 1 player Peter Jeschke, 6-3, to end the Trojans’ bid, but University’s chances didn’t appear good from the start.

At the end of the first round, Santa Barbara led, 5-1. University (23-2) managed to win one set in the second round when John Bowerbank defeated Santa Barbara’s No. 3 singles player, Jimmy Walker, 6-3. Finally, Santa Barbara closed the round at 10-2.

University Coach Josh Davis said he didn’t have any expectations about University upsetting Santa Barbara.

“Obviously, we were underdogs,” Davis said. “But we were going to have a good time and play hard. And I think we were a little nervous, a little tight and very excited.”

The Trojans stayed with the lineup they used in last week’s upset of Dana Hills.

“The lineup had no effect on the outcome,” Davis said. “We’re just going at them straight up.”

Santa Barbara Coach Jack Trigueiro, who has coached the Dons for 24 years, spoke highly of University.

“At least they went at us,” Trigueiro said. “This is a true matchup of strength. They went out to get the match and give it their best.”

There were some bright moments for University. In the first round, Frantz played Santa Barbara’s Heath Montgomery, the Southern Section individual champion, and nearly defeated Montgomery in the round’s last match. Frantz, a senior, led, 3-1, before Montgomery broke back to 3-2. Then Montgomery loosened up and won, 6-4.

“Mentally, this match was real tough,” Frantz said. “I had my opportunities and I didn’t follow through with them.”

University’s doubles team of Steve Tze and Bryan Shapiro also had a close match against Santa Barbara’s Jeff Villano and Steve Mohme. After being down, 5-2, Tze and Shapiro broke back to lead, 6-5. They lost the next game and then won the match, 10-8, in the tiebreaker.

“We went for broke,” Tze said. “We started going for shots and came back and won the tiebreaker.”