By Prep Boys Tennis Playoffs

Menlo once again dominates LAHS By Pete Borello

Like trying to hit the jackpot without buying a lottery ticket, facing Menlo School in the Central Coast Section boys tennis playoffs is a no-win situation.

Los Altos High last week found itself in this unenviable position for the fifth year in a row.

And for the fifth-straight year, Menlo prevailed. The host Knights dumped the Eagles 7-0 May 7 in the CCS Division II semifinals.

“We did our best,” Los Altos coach Cuong Duong said. “It’s not like we played badly - they’re just the better team.”

Top-seeded Menlo went on to beat No. 2 Mills last Thursday to claim its fifth consecutive CCS title.

“They have what it takes,” Duong said of the Knights (23-1). “They’re ranked No. 2 in the nation, and there’s nothing you can do.”

The fourth-seeded Eagles (14-6) failed to win even a single set off Menlo, a small private school in Atherton.

The closest match was at No. 1 doubles, where Steve Wong and Chuck Hwong lost 7-5, 6-2 to Steven Golad and Scott Bluenkranz.

“They held up pretty well,” Duong said of his duo. “They were up in the first set.”

In singles, top player Jon Wong put up the best fight, falling 6-4, 6-2 to James Pade.

The Eagles’ other three singles players combined to win just four games.

“We got beat pretty badly, but in general, I’m proud of the team,” Duong said. “We played better as the season went on. But in terms of Menlo, we’re just second class.”

Los Altos met Menlo in the CCS final in the 2000 and ‘01 seasons, losing 6-1 a year ago.

“If it wasn’t for Menlo, we could have won a couple of CCS titles,” Duong said. “I think we’re considered the best public school in Division II.”

In the other Division II semifinal May 7, St. Francis fell 7-0 to host Mills.

The third-seeded Lancers end their season with a 19-4 overall record.

The individual portion of the CCS boys tennis playoffs starts Tuesday at Imperial Courts in Aptos.