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June 1, 2017
Warrior tennis players shine on court and off BY ALONZO OROZCO
The 2017 Carpinteria High School boys tennis team proved to be a talented and persistent band of racquet wielders, capturing the school’s first league title since 2010. With a 5-1 record, the Warriors ended their season sharing the Foothill League crown with Foothill Tech. Coach Charles Bryant’s squad isn’t one that will likely be found hanging out at the nearby country club. “I say nine out of 10 of them had never even hit a tennis ball before coming to high school, which is usually the case with CHS. But they are great learners and students and they make a strong effort, day in and day out,” said the coach. The team also seems to have a wide variety of interests. Four-year player Jacob Ascencio has an ambition that isn’t often shared by many high school seniors these days. “I want to be a wrestler when I grow up,” said Ascencio whose idols include wrestling legends Hulk Hogan and “Macho Man” Randy Savage. Ascencio also cited video games and, of course, tennis, as some of his other hobbies. Meanwhile, sophomore Luke Nahooikaika-Anderson whose doubles play with senior partner Sam Truax was instrumental in helping the Warriors earn a share of the title, has several interests off the courts. “I like water polo and soccer,” said Nahooikaika-Anderson, who also plays the other two sports at CHS. Truax, the second half of the tennis duo, said, “I go running often whenever I’m not playing tennis and, then in school, I really am a fan of the performing arts, like acting and music.” Junior Jeremy Saito has an elite lineage when it comes to CHS tennis. Sisters Erin and Natalie collectively won CIF tennis titles in 2013, 2014 and 2015 for the school, and his uncle, Jeff Saito, is currently serving as an assistant for Bryant. Jeff’s daughter, Erin, also played on those winning teams. But Jeremy has interests aside from tennis. “I enjoy tennis; I’m also in the marching band, and all the band stuff with Ms. (Elise) Unruh (CHS Director of Performing Arts), so that’s fun,” said the current singles player who grew up playing baseball before taking up tennis in high school. Although the Warriors ended up on top this season, it was a season full of ups and downs. “For them to even compete against some of the teams we go up against, really says a lot about their fortitude,” explained Bryant whose team dropped four matches in a row at one point, finishing 8-10 overall. “I really feel they improve
Junior Jeremy Saito slaps the hands of teammates before facing off against Laguna Blanca in mid-May. against strong competition, and when they get to see and play against players who have been playing since they were old enough to hold a racquet,” added Bryant, whose daughter Kelsie was also a part of the Warrior squad that won consecutive CIF titles. The tennis team officially ended their season in the first round of the CIF Sectionals, as the doubles portion was held at CHS and the singles portion at Cate School last week. The doubles team of Truax/Nahooikaika-
Anderson lost to a pair from Beverly Hills, 6-1, 6-1. Jeremy Saito lost to Colby Grey of Templeton, 6-1, 6-2. “I am very proud of these three players, not just with their efforts today but all season,” said Bryant. “They performed well, stayed positive and never gave up.” With Nahooikaika-Anderson and his brother Solomon returning, along with Kirby Zapata and Jeremy, it looks as though the Warriors should be competitive again next year.
CHS senior Jacob Ascencio makes the reach.
CHS tennis coach Charles Bryant began coaching when his daughter Kelsie attended the school. His calm and consistent approach to coaching has cultivated a skilled batch of athletes on the CHS courts.
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