Sunny Hills’ Kao Hitting On the Rise

It’s been quite a year for Sunny Hills senior Joseph Kao. Last June, he reached the boys’ 16 finals of the Southern California Junior Sectionals. In April, he advanced to the semifinals of the Ojai boys’ interscholastic division. And last weekend, Kao had Southern California’s top-ranked boys’ 18 player, Thousand Oaks’ Phil Sheng, on the ropes before losing a three-set heartbreaker in the semifinals of the Southern Section individual tournament.

It would seem Kao, ranked 17th in Southern California, has done more than enough to earn a tennis scholarship to a Division I school. It would seem so, but it is not so.

Early this year, Kao accepted Stanford Coach Dick Gould’s offer to be a walk-on player at one of the country’s most prestigious schools, which also happens to have the nation’s premier tennis program.

On Saturday, after his 2 1/2-hour battle with Sheng, Kao said he was looking forward to Stanford in the fall.

“I think I made the right decision,” said Kao, who has been told he will get a scholarship if he remains on the team for two seasons. “You have to go where the best competition is.”

And there is no doubt that the best competition is in Palo Alto. The Cardinal recently won a record 17th NCAA men’s tennis title. Stanford’s No. 1 player, Alex Kim, followed that up by winning the NCAA individual title Saturday.

Sam Olson, Kao’s private coach who watched the Sheng match, wonders how Kao’s game would be viewed by college coaches now.

“He’s probably a better player now than when he was talking to Stanford six months ago,” Olson said. “He’s come a long way in six months.”

Olson also coached former Sunny Hills star Kevin Kim, who is now on the professional tour.

“It’s surprising to me how far Joseph has come,” Olson said. “He wasn’t a top player in the 14s. But he’s a real hard worker and a real disciplined player.”

Sheng, who is contemplating turning pro after he finishes high school in December, said he thinks Kao is deserving of a scholarship.

“I’m sure he could have gotten a full ride somewhere else, but I guess he just wants to go to Stanford,” Sheng said.

IRON MAN YOVAN

University Coach Jeff Hammond won’t have to worry about sophomore Aaron Yovan being match tough for the Trojans’ Division II title match against Brentwood Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Claremont Club. But he might have to worry about Yovan being worn out.

Since Thursday’s 14-4 semifinal victory over Troy, Yovan has been playing non-stop tennis.

He played two matches Friday in the Southern Section individual tournament--losing the second to Sheng in three sets. On Saturday, Yovan won his opening-round match at the Roxy/Quiksilver National Tournament at Los Caballeros Racquet Club. He won again Sunday, which meant he was to play two more matches Monday.

Yovan won his first match Monday and then pulled out of his afternoon quarterfinal match with an unspecified injury.

“I’m not worried. I’ll be ready for Brentwood,” he said.

A LOOK AHEAD

Corona del Mar Coach Tim Mang, who put on a national high school tournament for boys this spring, is preparing to stage a similar event for girls in October. Mang said he has chosen half the schools that will compete in the 16-team tournament, Oct. 5-7 at Balboa Bay Club Racquet Club.

Corona del Mar will be the host school. Woodbridge, Palos Verdes Peninsula, Del Mar Torrey Pines and Beverly Hills will be the other Southern California teams. Northern California will be represented by Menlo Atherton and Cupertino Monte Vista. Mang is also inviting teams from Arizona, Texas, Georgia and Florida.

If you have an item or idea for the boys’ tennis report, you can fax us at (714) 966-5663 or e-mail us at david.mckibben@latimes.com