Trojans Triumph Again: University Secures Second Consecutive CIF State Title with Victory Over Menlo

University High School’s boys tennis team had a fantastic season. They cruised through the regular games and secured their fourth straight CIF Open Division Championship. On Saturday, they proved their dominance once again, defeating Menlo 4-3 in the CIF State Championship at the Sierra Sport and Racquet Club in Fresno.

This win marked their second consecutive state title, just weeks after they beat Harvard-Westlake 10-8 for the Southern Section title. Coach John Kessler acknowledged the challenge of shifting focus from CIF to the regional playoffs. “The main goal is CIF. It’s tough to keep up the players’ spirits after such a high point,” he noted in an interview with OC Sports Zone.

During the regional playoffs, the Trojans didn’t face much trouble. They consistently won matches by at least three points, eventually defeating Harvard-Westlake again in the regional final, 5-2. However, the state championship was a different story with Menlo putting up a strong fight.

University’s singles players, Arystarkh Len and Daniel Zhu, started strong, giving the Trojans a 2-0 lead. But Menlo responded with a singles and doubles win, tying the match at two. Tyler Chandler and Reid Hashimoto clinched a key doubles victory that put University ahead 3-2. All eyes then turned to star player Rishvanth Krishna, who sealed the victory with a two-set win, securing the team’s fourth point and the championship.

Under Coach Kessler’s leadership, University High School’s tennis program has achieved incredible milestones. They now hold an impressive record of 19 consecutive league titles and 16 CIF Southern Section Championships. They are also the only school with two state titles in CIF history.

The future looks bright for this team, with young talent like Krishna expected to return next season. As they continue to shine, University High School remains a top contender in high school boys tennis.

In recent years, youth sports, including tennis, have gained popularity, with participation up by 15% since 2015, according to the U.S. Tennis Association. This growth suggests a promising future for programs like University High School’s, which foster talent and sportsmanship.

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