By Hannah Park
The Fountain Valley High School (FVHS) boys’ varsity team faced a tough loss against the Corona Del Mar (CdM) Sea Kings on Thursday, Mar. 30, finishing with a match score of 2-16. Despite the loss, the Barons showed strong technique and sportsmanship against CdM, ranked number one in the league and top five in Southern California.
A light wind pushed away the rain-laden clouds that had drenched the courts early that morning. With clear skies and the sun shining on the courts, the team was nervous but rallied with a loud team chant.
“Even though we lost, I’m proud of the entire team,” senior captain David Hoang said. “We didn’t really give up.”
Singles No. 1, senior captain Alan Ton, lost the first set 4-6 but came back to win his next two sets 6-3 and 6-1. The National All-American player had a tough opponent, but Ton’s lightning-fast serves and skilled gameplay mesmerized onlookers. With a lob shot that soared over the CDM player’s head when the player was up against the net, Ton scored some clever points.
“I was down early against the [CdM] number one…He’s a tough player,” Ton said. “You know, as long as I fought back and tried my hardest, that’s all that matters.”
“Alan Ton…[I’m] very proud of him,” Hoang said.
Although singles No. 2, David Hoang, was unable to win any of his sets, Hoang was good-humored all the way through and managed to pull off some aces and consistent serves throughout. Singles No. 3, junior Jason Nguyen, also had solid gameplay and strong forehand and backhand shots but also lost his three sets.
“CdM is top two in Orange County and one of the best teams in Southern California…they’re [a] top five,” boys’ varsity tennis Coach Harshul Patel said. “Our team is really, really down level-wise…We graduated 14 players, and this year is just building up the games and strategies, [as well as] their techniques.”
The doubles No. 1 team, juniors Colin Nguyen and Dylan Nguyen, fought hard, although they lost their sets 3-6, 1-6, and 4-6. The pair differed from the usual line-up, but the two players worked together with complementary playing styles. Colin Nguyen’s powerful, fast shots and Dylan Nguyen’s rallies kept CdM on its feet.
Doubles No. 2, sophomore Aanosh Patel and senior Dylan Nguyen, also lost their sets with scores of 0-6, 2-6, and 3-6. However, they stuck together and had some close matches, with a tense series of deuces. Doubles No. 3 players sophomore Hong Le and freshman Kai Takishima similarly finished with scores of 1-6, 0-6, and 0-6. Despite their loss, the boys’ form and technique remained consistent throughout the game.
“They’re learning how to play and [where] they need to be to compete next year because our goal is next year,” Patel said. “And that’s where we really want to [do] some serious damage, so this year is going to be a building year for us.”
The boys’ next home game will be against Laguna Beach on Thursday, April 6.
