Corona del Mar Isn’t Thrilled With Victory

Corona del Mar had just won its 15th consecutive boys’ tennis match this season, but Coach Tim Mang was not pleased. Woodbridge was, despite the 10-8 loss Thursday at Corona del Mar.

It was a moral victory for the Warriors, who earlier were blown away by the top-ranked Sea Kings, 14-4, in a Sea View League match.

Woodbridge Coach Joan Willett, while disappointed that her team came up shy of a huge victory, was pleased with her team’s fortitude in the rematch.

“We had some opportunities. We just needed one more set,” Willett said. “They came out really determined and I’m very proud of them. They wanted to prove themselves and they did that.”

Mang was upset with his team’s performance. It was the closest match they’ve played all season. Previously their 11-7 victory over Beverly Hills was the tightest. But while telling the team they played poorly, Mang also took some positives out of the match.

“We didn’t play well at all,” said Mang. “Hopefully it’s a wake-up call for us. At least it shows me who’s going to do well under pressure. The problem was we were looking forward to Peninsula.”

Whatever the reason, No. 3 Woodbridge (12-5, 6-2) almost came away with its biggest victory of the season.

After the first round, Corona del Mar (15-0, 8-0) took a 4-2 lead, but Woodbridge rallied in the second round to tie the score, 6-6. It was a sweep by Corona del Mar in doubles in the final round that cost Woodbridge the match.

Adam Artunian, who won two of three sets in the first meeting, won 6-1, 6-3, 6-1 for Woodbridge.

“That’s the best I’ve seen him play all season,” Willett said. “That shows what he is capable of.”