PREP TENNIS ROUNDUP : Mater Dei’s Hankey Wins South Coast League Title

Dana Hills sophomore Brandon Fallon and Mater Dei junior Brett Hankey had just accomplished their goal. Both players qualified for the Southern Section individual sectionals Saturday by winning their semifinal matches.

But once they took the court at Laguna Niguel Racquet Club, none of that seemed to matter. Within minutes, line calls were being disputed, fists were being pumped and rackets were being thrown. Two hours later, Hankey had earned a hard-fought 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 victory over Fallon to take his second consecutive South Coast League title.

“This one was for seeding, pride was out there and nobody likes to lose to that guy, especially me,” said Hankey, who split two sets with Fallon in league play.

Hankey, who won 53 of 56 sets during the season, took the first set easily after he jumped to a 3-0 lead. But Fallon settled down in the second set as his forehand started to do some damage. The fourth set was tight throughout, but Hankey broke Fallon’s serve in the 10th game to win the match.

During the 10th game, Fallon saved three match points and Hankey blew a couple easy put-aways that would have clinched the match. In the end, it was Fallon’s powerful but erratic forehand that let him down. He had four unforced errors from the forehand side in the 10th game.

“I had a hard time with my forehand sometimes because of the wind,” Fallon said. “I knew I had to hit good shots because he’s so consistent.”

Fallon reached the finals by beating Mission Viejo’s Eduardo Kohlberg in the semifinals, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2. Last year, Fallon lost in the semifinals and did not qualify for the section tournament. Hankey reached the finals by beating Trabuco Hills’ Nolan Cooper, 6-1, 6-7, 6-3.

In the doubles final, Dana Hills’ top-seeded team of Erik Lundblad and Hanley Ernst beat No. 2 Christian Fernandez and Josh Fair of Mission Viejo, 6-4, 1-6, 6-4.