Game, set, title

Now it’s official.

Now the Porterville High boys tennis team can claim the East Yosemite League crown.
Alone. No sharing allowed. Not to be disturbed.

The Panthers defeated cross-town rival Monache 10-8 at home Wednesday in a grueling, hard-fought battle.

A Marauders victory would have split the title in half, but the championship is all Porterville’s.

“Words can’t describe it,” Panthers senior Willy Woodmansee said. “It’s an amazing feeling.”

Porterville coach Pat McCusker knows a thing or two about winning EYL crowns.
Wednesday’s was his fifth in a row and 20th in 37 years of coaching.

“I’m real proud of the kids, obviously,” he said. “They’re a great group. They work hard.”

The Marauders led 4-2 after Round 1, but Porterville rallied to tie the score at 6-6.

Woodmansee provided his team with a crucial 6-3 victory over Elon Wright, Monache’s No. 1 player, in second-round action.

Wright looked to be on his way to knotting the score at 3-3 when he found himself ahead 30-love in the sixth set.

But Woodmansee stormed back, fought through a pair of dueces and placed an off-balance shot in the left corner of his opponent’s court to snag a 4-2 advantage.

Wright trimmed the lead to 4-3, but Woodmansee secured the final two sets to accomplish a rare feat.

“It felt good because I hadn’t beaten him before,” Woodmansee said. “One of my goals this year was to beat him, and I did.”

After two tight rounds, a dramatic finish appeared to be brewing.

But the Marauders fell asleep in Round 3.

The Panthers’ Jeremy Eggman was first off the court, defeating Frankie Marroquin 6-0.

Jade Perry coasted by Zack Reed 6-1 and Brogan Nordness-Woodmansee topped J.C. Rodriguez-Adrian Ogma 6-2.

Leading 9-6, the worst Porterville could do was a tie, but this wasn’t an option for McCusker and the Panthers.

At No. 2 doubles, Porterville’s Carlos Meraz-C.J. Cobarruvias had their way with Drexler Alcantara-Goldie Rayani.

Ahead 5-2 after seven sets, Meraz-Cobarruvias forged a 40-love advantage.

Meraz then double-faulted, but Rayani slapped a shot over the baseline.

It was officially over.

“It’s nothing surprising, I guess. Kind of expected,” Meraz said of winning the league title.

The senior never lost this season. Meraz registered an undefeated record of 36-0.

“Coming through for a second year makes a guy happy,” he said.

But the Marauders went out in style.

Alex Phophol slipped past Nick Galusha 6-4 and J.R. Remegio-Wright routed Matt Aquino-Adrian Vidrio 6-1.

“It was a good match,” Monache coach Tim Keith, who will retire at season’s end, said. “We have no excuses.

“We wish we would have done better, but you have to give credit to Porterville.”

Monache finished the regular season at 10-2 in EYL play and 15-6 overall.

“The kids played real hard,” Keith said. “I’m proud of them.”

Wright (6-3), Remegio (6-1), Reed-Phophol (6-2) and Alcantara-Rayani (6-4) all turned in first-round wins for Monache.

Woodmansee prevailed 6-4 against Rodriguez and Meraz blanked Ogma 6-0.

In Round 2, Remegio walloped Nordness 6-2 and Alcantara-Rayani subdued Galusha-Perry 6-4.

Andrew Chung (6-0), Meraz-Cobarruvias (6-4) and Eggman-Aquino (6-1) all tallied victories for Porterville.

Both schools will compete in the league tournament, which begins Friday in Delano.

“I’m at a loss for words,” Woodmansee said. “It’s good to keep the legacy of Porterville tennis going.”

-- Contact Alex K.W. Schultz at 784-5000, Ext. 1049 or aschultz@portervillerecorder.com.