Breakers bounce back

The Laguna Beach High boys’ tennis team went on the road Tuesday for the second time in as many matches to start the 2014 season and dropped an 11-7 nonleague decision at San Juan Hills.

The Breakers picked up five of their seven points in doubles play. Alex Duong and Zack Washer earned a sweep at No. 1 doubles, winning by scores of 6-1, 6-2. The No. 2 team of Sterling Dudley-Bowen and Ethan Gee (7-5) and No. 3 team of Tim Nguyen and Jeff Spitz (6-4), earned one win each.

Ryan Gee (6-1), at No. 1 singles, and No. 2 Stuart Webb (7-5) scored the two other Laguna points.

In its season opener Feb. 25, Laguna fell, 14-4, to Sage Hill in a nonleague match at The Tennis Club in Newport Beach. All four Breakers’ points were scored in doubles action with Duong/Washer (6-4, 6-0) getting two wins and Dudley-Bowen-Ethan Gee (7-6) and Nguyen-Spitz (6-0) getting one win apiece.

Laguna had a scheduled Feb. 27 nonleague match against Laguna Hills, its second match of the season, postponed and rescheduled for April 9.

“Going into the season, we knew that we had a young team, since we graduated so many starters from last season, including all three singles players,” Laguna Coach Don Davis said. “And so, we have had a difficult time scoring points in singles.

“Our doubles lineup includes two freshman, Zack Washer and Ethan Gee, first-time varsity starter, sophomore Sterling Dudley-Bowen, and three seniors, Alex Duong, Tim Nguyen and Jeff Spitz. Our doubles teams have all contributed, which is great considering their relative inexperience in playing varsity matches. And our line one team of Duong and Washer have been especially strong in winning five out of six sets.”

The Breakers play a pair of 3 p.m. nonleague matches next week, hosting JSerra Monday and playing at Trabuco Hills Thursday.

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Baseball

The Breakers opened their season Thursday by hosting Orange in an opening game of the Newport Elks Tournament. The score wasn’t available at press time.

Laguna continues tournament play Saturday and Monday and Wednesday of next week.

The Elks Tournament concludes March 14.

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Track and Field

Laguna started its 2014 season Thursday with a nonleague meet at El Dorado. The score wasn’t available at press time.

The Breakers will be back in action March 14-15 at the Redondo/Nike Invitational.

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CIF Preseason Rankings

Baseball: Laguna (No. 6, Division 4).