Dana Hills Continues Its Net Gains Against Cougars

The matches are getting more competitive, but Dana Hills continued its mastery over neighborhood rival Capistrano Valley Wednesday with a 12-6 South Coast League boys’ tennis victory at Capistrano Valley.

“I thought we had a good chance,” said Capistrano Valley junior doubles player Chad Widtfelt. “We put a lot of pressure on ourselves. I don’t think we were ready to come out and do it. It’s getting real frustrating losing to these guys.”

How much frustration have the Cougars suffered? Capistrano Valley Coach Kerry Leander wasn’t even sure himself.

“I’m sure it’s been since the early 1980s when we last beat these guys,” Leander said. “The last three years have been a little more enjoyable because we’ve been more competitive. They just keep coming up with more talent.”

The fourth-ranked Dolphins (9-3, 3-0 in league) never gave the seventh-ranked Cougars (9-2, 2-1) much hope for an upset as they led throughout, 4-2 after the first round and 8-4 after the second round. Leading the way were Dana Hills’ top two singles players, Brian Kent and Javier Carillo, who swept their three sets.

“Our one and two singles have been solid,” Dana Hills Coach John Stephens said. “The part of our lineup that’s been inconsistent has been the doubles. I’m still looking for six doubles players that can take us to the playoffs.”

Stephens appeared to find at least two Wednesday. Jon Lippert and Jason Efstathiou, both recovering from injuries, swept their sets, 6-4, 6-3, 6-0.