LJ b tennis: What a pair

Matt Moses, the behemoth, slaps palms with his
partner, Carson Kellogg, a freshman, during
their CIF second-round match.
(Photos by Ed Piper)
 

By Ed Piper

Matt Moses is an amenable fellow.

On the tennis court, the doubles player flips his racket between plays, evincing a hyper-relaxed approach. His trademark black sunglasses, atop a tall, lanky figure, add to the effect.

A senior, the seasoned lefty is teamed up with freshman Carson Kellogg, a capable right-hander, on La Jolla's only pair to make the CIF individual championships, being contested this week (beginning Tues., May 15) at the Balboa Tennis Club at Morley Field.

Coach Darice Carnaje's CIF team champions, having just been crowned last Friday after their win over favored Coronado on the same courts, enjoy plenty of good will. Winning takes care of a lot of problems.

But there can also be the tensions, the little intra-team rivalries that can simmer under the surface on championship teams because of personalities and petty jealousies.

But one doesn't sense any of this in the Moses-Kellogg union.

Carson Kellogg makes a nice hit near the net
in the first set versus their Mira Mesa
opponents.

For one, Carnaje holds a firm hand. A veteran of her own tennis triumphs, even in Senior USTA competition, the diminutive coach is a long-time mentor of high school athletes, for many years at Our Lady of Peace Academy (in basketball, as well), now for the second year at the public high school by the sea.

Much to Moses' credit, though, is his ability to make it work with younger doubles partners. Before Tuesday's match against a duo from Mira Mesa, he transmitted a calm presence while waiting in the stands for second-round matches to begin.

Likewise, Kellogg, the younger brother of another senior on the Viking title squad, Mason Kellogg, moved about in no hurry as dad Kellogg, "LJ"-lettered cap in place, hovered about and checked on the time of the match that would follow the pair's opening-round victory.

"He's a good doubles player," said Carnaje, when asked about her pairing of a senior with a ninth-grader. "Last year Matthew played with another freshman, Sam Rudenberg (now a sophomore on the team)."

Moses and Kellogg didn't talk much as their match with the Marauder opponents evolved. Occasionally, but not frequently, they slapped hands in camaraderie.

The partners' height difference portrays a real Mutt-and-Jeff contrast, with the older player towering over his more compact colleague.

The pair have the middle of the court covered,
with Moses slinging left-handed (here) alongside
his right-handed partner.

In the first set, with a reporter/photographer sitting feet away from the court while recording photos of the match, neither blamed the other or showed frustration at blown points except at oneself. When the tall, rangy Moses slammed serves into the net, he called out to himself, "What are you doing?"

His willingness to combine his talents with a partner three grades behind him certainly contributes to the success the pair has had this year, moving beyond the first round of CIF play, besides being an integral part of La Jolla's team triumph last week.

Moses, leading the younger player toward the promised land of CIF, makes it look easy. No outward turmoil. No seeming inward perturbation.