Laguna Beach reloads

Last year, the Laguna Beach High boys’ tennis team turned in an outstanding season that took the Breakers to the final match on the final day of the CIF Southern Section Division 4 postseason playoffs. With a strong nucleus back this year, the Breakers once again figure to be a strong contender for league and postseason championships.

The Breakers were ranked No. 1 in Division 4 for much of the 2015 season. They went undefeated through Orange Coast League play, won both the league’s singles and doubles tournament titles, then won four playoff matches before falling to second-seeded Redlands last May in the Division 4 championship match.

Seven returnees from last year’s team are back for the new season. Among the returnees is reigning league singles champion and MVP Ryan Gee, league singles runner-up Charles Keller, league doubles champion Tristan Krogius, the league doubles runner-up team of Ethan Gee and Hayden Seitz, and second-team all-league singles player Nick Besso. Senior Dean Hodes is also returning in 2016.

“It’s a young, enthusiastic team, as there are 11 underclassmen on the JV team and six on the varsity team,” said Coach Don Davis who begins his fifth year leading the program. “So, it will take some time to develop our doubles teams; however, we have some highly experienced seniors to help guide the way.”

The Breakers open their season on Tuesday with a 3 p.m. road game at Laguna Hills.

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Laguna Beach Boys’ Tennis

Head coach: Don Davis (5th year).

Coaching staff: Rick Gephardt (JV coach); Everett Gee (assistant coach); Todd Granius (assistant coach).

CIF Division: 4.

2015 records: 19-4 overall/6-0 league (champion).

2015 CIF results: Runner-up to Division 4 title.

Varsity roster: *Nick Besso (21-19 record, Soph.); *Ethan Gee, 59-9, Jr.); *Ryan Gee (56-4, Sr.); Blake Hawkins (Soph.); *Dean Hodes (6-2, Sr.); *Charles Keller (41-23, Soph.); *Tristan Krogius (55-13, Jr.); Mason Lebby (Fr.); Sam Reynolds (Fr.); *Hayden Seitz 64-4, Sr.); Taylor Sokolovic (Fr.).

Returning with honors: Nick Besso (all-league second-team singles); Ethan Gee (all-league first-team doubles); Ryan Gee (all-league first-team singles, league MVP); Charles Keller (all-league first-team singles); Tristan Krogius (all-league first-team doubles); Hayden Seitz (all-league first-team doubles).

Season keys: “Our singles lineup should be stronger this season, but a lot will depend on how fast the newcomers develop in doubles,” Davis said.

The schedule: The Breakers face a formidable nonleague schedule that includes several CIF-SSS Division 1 teams. They begin defense of their Orange Coast League title March 17, the first of eight league matches. At the conclusion of league play, they will host the league’s singles and doubles tournaments in early-May.

“The toughest part of our schedule is early, so we should know immediately how we stand,” Davis said.

Season opener: Tuesday (3 p.m.) at Laguna Hills.