Taft Tries to Show Palisades It’s Not a One-Mann Team : Tennis: Toreador ace has 10-0 record in City 4-A tournament entering today’s final.

As Taft High climaxes its pursuit of an elusive City Section tennis title for the third consecutive season, there is no question that it has the man: Dylan Mann.

Mann, a junior who plays No. 1 singles, has a 10-0 record in the City 4-A tournament and has won eight consecutive sets by 6-0 scores. Nobody has come close to beating him.

The question: does Taft have the team?

The Toreadors (12-1) will face Palisades (14-1) in the 2 p.m. championship match today at the Racquet Centre. Taft has reached the final in each of the past two seasons, losing each time. In the 3-A final, Birmingham will face Eagle Rock, also at 2.

“I think the team really has a chance to pull this one off,” Mann said. “We really want another chance at it.”

Taft can bank on four points from Mann in a format that awards one point for each singles set. But what are the Toreadors’ chances in doubles, where each set is worth 1 1/2 points and 13 1/2 of a total 29 1/2 points are possible?

“Right now, Taft seems to be winning on singles,” Palisades Coach Bud Kling said. “We win on doubles and depth.”

Taft won 15 of 16 singles sets against Granada Hills in its 18 1/2-11 semifinal victory over Granada Hills last week while winning only three of nine doubles sets. Palisades went 10-6 in singles and 8-1 in doubles while routing El Camino Real, 22-7 1/2.

“Obviously, we’re strong there,” Kling said. “I think it’ll be close. I’d be shocked if it isn’t.”

Neither team has been able to scout the other. But Kling said he has a plan of attack.

“I’ve got a real good idea, but I don’t want it to get in the paper,” he said.

But Taft Coach Marvin Jones said Mann’s presence tends to inspire the rest of his players to perform at a higher level.

“Everyone on the team feels confident he’s going to win,” Jones said.

“When we play round robin in the playoffs, they basically count four points. That’s a good feeling.”

Taft will need its usual strong performances from Nos. 2, 3 and 4 singles players Golan Sassoon, Ali Fatourechi and Eilon Artzi. But perhaps more important, it will likely need more than the 4 1/2 points it got in doubles last week.

In the 3-A final, Eagle Rock (15-0) is seeking its first title since 1988. Birmingham (12-4) has already posted its best season since 1987, which was the last year the Braves reached the semifinals. But Birmingham wants more.

Said Braves Coach Rick Prizant, “I think we should win the 3-A, if we play our tennis.”