Boys’ tennis: Will University Coach eat his words against Peninsula?
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In April, Irvine University Coach John Kessler made a bold prediction to The Times.
He picked Peninsula to win the Southern Section-Toyota Division I title, and now he’s hoping his team will prove him wrong. The defending champion Trojans travel to Palos Verdes Wednesday afternoon for a semifinal showdown that is a rematch of last year’s final.
The Trojans beat Peninsula, 11-7, earlier this season, but that was before the Panthers’ top player, Tyler Bowman, was in top form. He and No. 2 player Jon Kazarian will both be playing for UC Irvine in the fall. In their last meeting, Peninsula notched all seven of its points in doubles, so with a stronger singles lineup this time, the fourth-seeded Panthers stand a better chance.
Of course, top-seeded University has a formidable singles trio of its own in Jason Lin, John Huang and Matt Siow. The key will be how they fare against Bowman. Also, the Trojans will likely need a point or two from their second or third doubles teams.
Was Kessler’s prediction meant to motivate his own players, who he felt at the time were too cocky? If so, we’ll find out if his ploy works to the Trojans’ advantage. If University emerges victorious, this is one time Kessler won’t mind eating crow.
The University-Peninsula survivor plays the winner of Wednesday’s other semifinal clash between #2 Santa Barbara and #3 Mater Dei for the Division I championship next Wednesday at the Claremont Club.
Click here to see Coach Kessler’s prediction.
-- Steve Galluzzo