University Eliminates Chatsworth in Tennis

Chatsworth High brought a 17-0 record and a West Valley League title into the semifinals of the City Section 4-A playoffs. But those credentials didn’t carry much weight with University, which beat the second-seeded Chancellors, 20-9 1/2, at the Racquet Centre in Studio City on Thursday.

In the day’s other semifinal match, top-seeded Palisades routed North Hollywood, 23 1/2-6. The final is scheduled for Tuesday at the Racquet Centre.

University dominated the doubles competition, winning eight of nine sets. “Doubles is the key to our tennis team,” said University assistant coach Patrick Carman. “What we looked for was to create three doubles teams of equal ability. And that’s why we’re so strong.”

Dean Weinstock, University’s No. 4 singles player, won only one of four sets, but that was enough, he figured.

“If one of our singles wins,” Weinstock said, “we can say, ‘Oh, we’re going to win.’ ” But Weinstock was underestimating his teammates, who won half of their singles sets Thursday, led by Robert Vinson.

“I thought we had a really good chance in singles, but then Vinson came in and he was just such a good addition. He changed the team,” said John Holiday, Chatsworth’s No. 1 singles player.

Vinson was not on the team when Chatsworth defeated University in a preseason match. He joined the team shortly thereafter and became the Warriors’ top-seeded player. He was demoted to No. 2 after spraining his wrist in a fall on Monday. But Vinson still defeated all four of his opponents Thursday.

In other competition, Holiday was unstoppable. He coaxed himself along by speaking to the ball, his racket and himself, cruising past Mitch Rosin, Carl Peterson and Weinstock.

“I rely on my quickness, and my backhand is my money shot,” Holiday said. “I try to play as smart as possible. I don’t think I have the best strokes, but I use everything I have.”

University clinched the victory with Peterson’s 6-4 win over Mike Nickel. Peterson had taken a 3-0 lead, only to watch Nickel fight back for a 4-3 advantage. But Peterson recovered in time for the win.

It was a happy ending to what has been a year filled with tragedy for Peterson. After his father died early in the school year, Peterson was failing algebra and was not allowed to play tennis until his grades improved.

“At the beginning of the year, I believed in God but I didn’t pray a lot,” Peterson said. “But when my father died and I was failing, I prayed, ‘Please let me do something for him.’ At first I was trying too hard, but I started to pick my game up.

“It was dedicated to my father. I wanted to win for him, succeed for him. Two days before he died he said to me, ‘It’s time to grow up. It’s time to take the bull by the horns.’ Well, I think I did.”

Next up for University will be Palisades.