Sea Kings’ Collins Changes Mind, Commits to Play Tennis at USC

Parker Collins became the second Corona del Mar High tennis player to commit to USC this spring. Collins had committed to Washington in March, but he changed his mind a few weeks ago after speaking with his father, Larry.

“While we were having dinner, he asked me, ‘If money was not an issue, what would be your first choice?’ I said ‘USC,’ ” said Collins, whose high school teammate, Christian Jensen, committed to USC last month.

Collins, who reached the semifinals of Ojai this year, was not offered a scholarship to Washington or USC. He initially chose Washington because tuition is about half of USC’s tuition.

“USC was always my first choice, but it was sort of a dream,” Collins said. “It just wasn’t realistic because of the money. But my dad said he figured out a way to afford it for the first year.”

USC Coach Dick Leach, a long-time friend of Larry Collins’, said he is excited about the addition of Collins.

“He was somebody I was hoping I could get,” Leach said. “Because he was a late bloomer and has had a bad back, he didn’t have the ranking to earn a scholarship somewhere. I’m hoping he shoots off and becomes a player that can earn a scholarship. I really think he’s got a high end to him. Otherwise, I wouldn’t want him to waste his time coming here if I didn’t think he could play.”

Leach also said Trojan freshman Ryan Moore, who played at Servite High, will miss the fall season with a back injury that forced him sit out most of the 1999 season. Moore played No. 2 singles last year at USC and was undefeated in singles and doubles through eight matches. Leach said he expects Moore to be ready for the regular season, which begins in January.