By Ed Piper
La Jolla tennis coach Jack Kruger went sophomore-freshman-freshman in singles against visiting San Dieguito Academy (SDA), then showed the veteran/underclassman strength across the team by sending out in doubles the following pairings: senior-senior, senior-senior, and soph-freshman in 1-2-3 Tues., Feb. 27.
The coach, who in his playing days competed at Wimbledon, showed an attentive but calm presence with his players, whom he conferred with individually during and between matches, and watched over as their respective matches progressed.
It was a very "homey" feel Tuesday, engendered by assistant coach Phifer Crute and others, including player moms, anxiously eyeing the action down below on the courts--also trying to deal with the season's low sun in the late afternoon that had finally come out after all the recent rainy weather and which cuts right through from the coast to blind you as you try to see and record (a dad with a phone) or photograph (a reporter) the activity.
In singles, the lineup went Leo Thieler, a sophomore in the first singles spot, against a reputedly highly-touted SDA opponent, then Joe Sammartino and Jacob Chorny, both freshmen, in the two and three spots, from the court nearest the team area (covered by sun-blocking canvas) toward the distant courts. Rushville Street was on the other side of the fence from these courts.
In doubles, the one's were seniors Ryan Keller and Barrett Keller. Ben Haswell and Tucker MacDonald made up the second pair. Zach Zanio and Nikita Stephan were three's on the far court.
The courts were framed by the impressive La Jolla High CIF and league champion banners over the years, providing a fitting backdrop of historical importance to the present competition.
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