Photo by Monique Schoenfeld, Town Crier
St. Francis High senior Vincent Tsai competes in the WCAL playoffs last week at Cuesta Park.
Town Crier Staff Writer
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It's doubtful any boys tennis team in the Central Coast Section has improved more than Gunn High.
In one year, the Titans have gone from worst to first in the SCVAL El Camino Division.
On April 27, they wrapped up the division title - the school's first in six years - with a 5-2 home win over Wilcox. This allowed Gunn to finish 12-0 in division play and pushed the team's overall record to 15-4.
Last season, the Titans went 1-11 in the division and 1-17 overall.
So what's behind the miraculous turnaround?
Experience and attitude, according to coach Ray Soto.
Gunn features eight returning players and four seniors - including No. 2 singles player Patrick Baker of Los Altos Hills. Baker, whom Soto calls "a very aggressive player," is 16-3 on the season.
Two other seniors, Erik Carlsson and Michael Teng, make up the Titans' top doubles team. The pair didn't lose a single division match, Soto said, and should go far in the CCS individual playoffs.
The Titans also have two talented freshman on board: Shane Templeman and David Wong. Templeman plays No. 1 singles, where he's compiled a 10-0 division record and a 16-1 overall mark.
"He's ruthless," Soto said. "He takes charge out there and is very confident."
That sort of attitude has been a big part of Gunn's success, according to Soto.
"They want to be winners," the second-year coach said. "They figure if you're going to go out there for an hour and half, give it your best."
With the regular season behind them, the Titans now turn their attention toward the CCS team playoffs. Seedings were determined Monday night, shortly after the Town Crier went to press, with first-round matches scheduled for this afternoon.
Soto was hoping Gunn would be seeded fifth or better in the Small Schools division. Soto doesn't expect his team to win the section crown, especially with powerhouse Menlo in the bracket, but he would like to win at least one match.
"Our goal is to get past the first round." Soto said. "This team hasn't done that since the late '80s."
Michael Duong topped Los Altos High teammate Jonathan Wong last Thursday in the singles final of the SCVAL De Anza Division Individual Championships. Duong, a senior, beat freshman Wong 6-2, 6-2 at Courtside in Los Gatos.
At the West Catholic Athletic League Individual Championships, held last Friday at Cuesta Park, Ngon Huynh and R.J. Bates of St. Francis combined forces to win the doubles title 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 over a team from Bellarmine.