PREP TENNIS / SOUTHERN SECTION CHAMPIONSHIPS : Los Alamitos’ Free Ride Ends at the Hands of Camarillo

Los Alamitos stepped up in class this year from Division II to Division I. But a rather weak tennis league--the Sunset--and a rather weak nonleague schedule made for a rather smooth transition.

But Thursday, the Griffins discovered what the Southern Section Division I playoffs are all about. They came into the second round with a 16-0 record and came out of it with an embarrassing loss and a bruised ego. Camarillo defeated Los Alamitos, 14-4, at the Old Ranch Tennis Club in Seal Beach and clinched the match after two rounds.

“The lack of experience and the lack of competition during the season was the difference,” said Los Alamitos Coach Geoff Carter, whose team had only three seniors. “Not losing during the season was also somewhat of detraction.”

Camarillo’s depth at nearly every position was somewhat of a detraction too. The Scorpions (18-1), the Marmonte League champions, won eight of nine singles sets and all the doubles sets, except for their No. 3 doubles team of Brian Lashley and Nhan Ly, which lost all three sets.

Camarillo led, 5-1, after the first round, but it easily could have been 3-3. Los Alamitos’ No. 1 doubles team of Ed Huang and Joe Shih and No. 2 team of Adriano Satele and Nilesh Vora lost their sets, 7-5. Vora was serving for the set at 5-4, but he double faulted three times and lost the game.

“We didn’t play the big points well,” Carter said. “But you have to give Camarillo credit. They played some tennis in unfamiliar surroundings.”

Los Alamitos junior Randy Mano, who had the Griffins’ only singles victory, said losing felt strange.

“Even when I’d lose all three matches, we’d still win easily,” he said. “I’ve never had the pressure of my match counting.”

Los Alamitos’ closest match had been 12-6 until Thursday.

“A lot of the players are in a state of shock,” Carter said. “It’s a different situation.”

In other Division I tennis:

Dana Hills 16, Long Beach Wilson 2--David Bailey and Justin Rimel swept at No. 1 doubles, 6-0, 6-0, 6-0, to lead Dana Hills (19-1-1).

Diamond Bar 10, Santa Margarita 8--Diamond Bar’s Jeff Bronzini beat Jeff Shed of Santa Margarita in the last set of the match, 6-4, to clinch a second-round victory for sixth-seeded Diamond Bar (17-5).

Woodbridge 12, Agoura 6--The doubles’ teams of Ricky Kaplan and Reza Farokhpay and Yoshi Suzuki and Brandon Shainfeld each swept their sets for Woodbridge (21-1). The Warriors will take on Dana Hills Tuesday.

In Division II tennis:

Corona del Mar 14, South Torrance 4--John Cappello won, 6-4, 6-2, 6-0, in singles, Greg Coleman and Josh Weinstein won, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3, in doubles and Raj Shulka and Mike Feyka won, 6-1, 6-1, 6-2, in doubles for Corona del Mar (15-5), which will play Beverly Hills Tuesday.

Foothill 10, Los Angeles Loyola 8--Ryan Thompson and Joost Hol each swept their singles’ sets to lead visiting Foothill (20-1).

Villa Park 10, Laguna Beach 8--Ryan Hollis and B.K. Chang swept their singles’ sets to lead Villa Park (19-3). Hollis, who was injured and had to serve underhand, won, 6-2, 6-0, 6-2. Villa Park will play Sunny Hills Tuesday.

Sunny Hills 12, Loara 6--Junior Joseph Gilbert swept his sets, 6-1, 6-0, 6-0, for Sunny Hills.