Carrillo’s Toughest Opponent Is Himself

After some impressive performances in men’s open and summer college tournaments, Dana Hills’ Javier Carrillo entered his senior season with more game, more confidence and higher expectations.

How high?

Too high.

“I wanted to win every set I played,” Carrillo said.

It took Carrillo only two matches to realize those kind of expectations were unrealistic and those kind of goals brought an undue amount of pressure. In Dana Hills’ second match against preseason No. 1 Corona del Mar, Carrillo lost two of three sets and played like someone trying not to lose.

“I couldn’t move my feet because I was so nervous,” Carrillo said. “Last year, I didn’t care that much. I’m more into it this year. I want to do so much in high school tennis.”

Probably too much. But it’s hard to knock Carrillo’s effort or question his motives for wanting success so badly.

“I want to go to college,” he said. “I want to make myself known in California. I want to win so badly because I want people to notice me. If I lose, nobody cares.”

But even when Carrillo wins, not many people are noticing. Carrillo had a nice 1998 season for Dana Hills, which went undefeated in the regular season and lost to Corona del Mar in the Division I semifinals. He lost only four sets of 55 in dual matches and reached the third round at Ojai and the Southern Section individual tournament, but college coaches don’t pay much attention to high school tennis.

They watch junior tournaments and usually judge a player’s worth by their ranking in the Southern California Tennis Assn. Because Carrillo didn’t play enough junior tournaments last year, he didn’t qualify for the rankings. Of the tournaments he did play, Carrillo was ranked 29th. But that ranking was ineligible under SCTA requirements.

Why didn’t Carrillo play more SCTA events?

“I didn’t have a car and I couldn’t get to the tournaments,” he said. “I also didn’t know the system and wasn’t sure which events to enter.”

Of the tournaments he did enter last year, Carrillo had his best results in Coto de Caza at the summer Intercollegiate Tennis Assn. event. He beat Brandon Fallon, a former Dana Hills player and currently a sophomore at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, in the semifinals and lost to Boise State sophomore Sam Adam Webster in the finals. In December, he won the YMCA Holiday Classic in San Diego--defeating Los Alamitos’ Cody Jackson in the finals.

Dana Hills Coach John Stephens is trying to get the word out on Carrillo, a baseliner with quick feet, smooth groundstrokes and an improving serve. Stephens has been calling college tennis coaches and compiling video of Carrillo in action.

“There’s someone out there who could be in for a big surprise if they take a chance on this kid,” Stephens said. “A big hitter doesn’t bother him. He can be a backboard for those type of guys. His game is patience and when he’s feeling good, he’s hitting with a lot of pace and a lot of depth.”

After playing most of his life on the clay courts of South America, Carrillo said he’s beginning to feel comfortable on and off the hard courts of Southern California.

“When I came over here, everything was new--the language, the culture, the courts, “ said Carrillo, who lived in Beaumont, Texas, for a year before moving to Dana Point. “It was like starting a new life.”

It didn’t take Carrillo long to realize he could earn a free college education by playing tennis at a high level.

“I had planned to return to Venezuela after high school, but now I want to go to college,” he said.

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PRESEASON TOP 10

1. Corona del Mar, Looking for first section title in 19 years.

2. Dana Hills, Doubles teams are biggest question.

3. Los Alamitos, Jackson, Hoskins lead talented group.

4. Woodbridge, Depth a problem, Lingman’s return helps.

5. University, Mak, Yovan best freshmen in county.

6. Sunny Hills, Kao ready for breakout at No. 1 singles.

7. Capistrano Valley, Nguyen strong at top, but help needed.

8. El Dorado, Peng shoots for fourth league title.

9. Santa Margarita, Third best in tough Sea View League.

10. Servite, Moore’s gone, but still some talent left.