Servite’s Moore Finds Time Heals All Wounds, Losses

It took him a week, but Servite’s Ryan Moore has finally recovered from his straight-set loss to Ventura’s Erin Carroll in the Southern Section individual tournament.

“It was pretty disappointing, but the more you get down to it, the more you look at all the positive things that are ahead of you,” said Moore, who has earned a full scholarship to play tennis at USC.

“It was a tough one to swallow, knowing I’d never lost to [Carroll]. It was also tough knowing I couldn’t give it 100% effort.”

Moore, bothered by a sore right hip in his 7-6, 6-3 loss to Carroll in the round of 16, was bidding to become the first player to repeat as section individual singles champion since Arcadia’s Tom Leonard won in 1965 and ’66.

He didn’t accomplish that goal, but he did win Ojai, the Golden West League title a fourth time and all of his sets in dual match play for an fourth consecutive year.

“One win or one loss isn’t going to make your season,” Moore said. “A good season is based on consistency.”

We agree. That’s why Moore is The Times Orange County player of the year, again. Moore won the award last year after beating Santa Barbara’s Sam Adam Webster in the section individual finals and going 48-0 during the regular season.

“It’s a great honor,” Moore said of The Times award. “It’s always nice to be recognized for your accomplishments and your hard work.”

This year, Moore won all 39 of his sets in dual matches. In April, he won his second Ojai title--he also won the boys’ 14s singles--without losing a set. In the Ojai interscholastic finals, Moore took apart Beverly Hills’ Jose Lieberman before a big crowd that included his future college coach, USC’s Dick Leach.

Moore appeared to be playing well enough to win the section title too, serving and volleying his way through the preliminaries by losing only two games. But he ran into a hot player in Carroll and Moore’s hip injury, which he got in practice, weakened his serve and limited his mobility.

“I did my best to prepare, it just didn’t work out,” Moore said. “I’m glad I was able to get Ojai.”

For all his individual accomplishments, Moore was also a pretty good team player. At a time when many top players are abandoning their school for private lessons, junior tournaments and tennis academies, Moore stayed with his high school team for four years and helped turn around the Servite tennis program.

This season, the Friars reached the section Division III semifinals for the first time.

“Hopefully, Servite can take what I did and build on it,” Moore said. “It’s been great to get the school some exposure.

“I’m glad I played high school tennis. It’s been a real positive experience playing for a team. It will only help me when I play college tennis next year for USC.”