Departures of Mann, Varvais a Net Loss for Age-Group Circuit

It is time to say goodbye to Dylan Mann and Nick Varvais. At least as junior tennis players.

Mann, 17, of Canoga Park and Taft High is headed to the University of Florida. Varvais, 16, of Simi Valley (Royal High) will now turn his attention to UC Irvine. The Times’ regional co-players of the year in the high-school circuit will both be on scholarship.

Both played their final matches on the local junior circuit in last week’s Southern California Junior Sectional Championships in Fountain Valley.

Mann went out with a bang, winning his second consecutive doubles championship and losing to top-seeded Andrew Scorteanu in the consolation singles final in the boys’ 18-and-under division.

Varvais’ racket went sour in the quarterfinals, losing a forgettable match to unseeded Ryan Moore, then failing to hold a one-set lead over Scorteanu in the consolation semifinals.

Varvais is young enough to come back in 1997 and possibly dominate what would be his third year in boys’ 18s.

But Varvais said that would be a step down after nine months of Division I experience at Irvine.

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The toughest loss for the Varvais family came off the court. Janet Varvais, Nick’s grandmother who was visiting from Alaska, misplaced a gold necklace given to her by Nick’s father, Doug.

On the necklace was a solid-gold pendant of an ice skate, which Doug Varvais received for winning a national age-group figure-skating championship as a Granada Hills youngster.

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As Mann and Varvais move out of the juniors spotlight, other local players are poised to move in.

They include Nicholas Weiss, 14 of Calabasas and Jieun Jacobs of Valencia.

Both won Southern California championships in the 14-and-under division last week.

“I’m excited,” Weiss said. “I’m really happy. I’m just tired.”

Weiss battled dizziness and an upset stomach while outlasting Ryan Redondo, 7-6 (11-9), 6-2, in the final, but his game has always been healthy. Weiss, nationally ranked between No. 1 and 3 all year, also won the Southern California crown in the 10s.

“[This title is] better, because I’m undefeated this year and Ryan’s the toughest player around,” Weiss said after losing only eight games in four matches before the final.

Jacobs was ranked 25th in her division last year but, remarkably, was unaffected by the high altitude of being No. 1 this year.

She won all but one match in straight sets and downed No. 3 Luana Magnani, 6-4, 6-2, in the final.

Jacobs might possess more mental maturity on the court than some professionals.

“[The mental side] is such a big part,” she said. “I think I kept myself together fairly well by trying to stay positive and focusing.

“I’ve [unraveled] before. It’s really pointless. You have to keep your head if you want to win.”

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Looking for a doubles partner? Give Mann a call.

Yes, Mann has won back-to-back doubles titles in Southern California’s most-important tournament, but he has not had a steady partner in two years and he is again looking for a sidekick to play in the national championships later this summer.

In 1995, it was Ryan Thompson, who moved on to the college ranks. Before this year’s sectional, Mann hooked up with Joseph Gilbert of Fullerton. They were a perfect fit.

Seeded third, Mann and Gilbert upset No. 1 Scott Kintz and Trent Miller, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, in the semifinals, then they toppled No. 2 Bryan Golledge and Sam Adam Webster by the same score in the final.

But Gilbert had already made arrangements to play with Nick Crowell of Amarillo, Texas, in the nationals. Alas, Mann is once again a free agent.

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Despite missing the sectional championships with minor knee injuries, Brandis Braverman of Encino will be eligible for the national tournament. Jim Hillman, director of the junior program for the Southern Californa Tennis Assn., said he will give her a waiver. Braverman was seeded No. 3 in girls’ 18s entering the section championships.

Mike Miringoff has resigned as director of the SCTA’s player development program to take a post at Wilson Sporting Goods, making the announcement that saddened many last week.

Miringoff, for the past two years, headed programs that aided the development of local standouts Mann, Varvais, Jacobs and Weiss.