Newport Harbor getting noticed

Bryce Alderton

The respect meter has finally started tilting toward the Newport

Harbor High boys tennis team.

Third-year coach Jeff Thomsen got a phone call from Corona del Mar

Coach Tim Mang asking if the Sailors would like to compete in the

prestigious national tournament CdM hosts later this month.

Mang wanted to attract more area teams to a field that last year

included schools from Northern California, Hawaii and New York.

Add Newport Harbor to that list.

“I was pretty honored to get that call,” Thomsen said. “It shows

we are getting a little respect around these parts.”

The Sailors have reason to be optimistic with six returning

starters off a team that reached the CIF playoffs for the first time

in 13 years last season. Sophomore Robert Khoury, the Sea View League

singles champion last year, along with seniors Charlie Farmer and

Tyler Deck, provide the experience for the Tars in singles.

Deck won the Anaheim junior open in the boys 18s six months ago

while Khoury is 15th in boys 16s in Southern California. Khoury

became the first Newport league singles champion since Geoff Abrams

in 1994.

Freshman Jake Fleming, ranked 70th in boys 16s in Southern

California, figures to compete for a starting spot in singles.

Thomsen, who played at Newport, has been impressed with Fleming

early.

“His work ethic is by far the best on the team,” Thomsen said. “He

comes out and sets the tone in practice. He is out there every point

moving his feet and working hard for everything. He believes hard

work can get him to where he wants to be.”

Thomsen’s doubles teams are equally experienced with juniors Dylan

Espley-Jones, Ruslan Seryduk and Derek Davis returning.

Three newcomers include juniors Grant Casserly, a receiver on

Newport’s football team and Cameron McLaren, as well as senior Tanner

Bendhiem.

“[Casserly] hasn’t played tennis the last few years, but his

athleticism should help us a lot in doubles,” Thomsen said.

Thomsen said the trip to the CIF playoffs fueled the team’s

appetite for even greater success.

“I want to build this program to be a Division I contender,”

Thomsen said.

To that end, Thomsen scheduled matches against perennial powers

Santa Barbara and Dana Hills, along with the Back Bay duel, today at

Corona del Mar.

Newport opened Thursday with an 11-7 loss at San Clemente.

“We are just going to put our heads down and drive right through,”

Thomsen said. “This is our year to make an impression.”

Thomsen remembered two years ago when he took over and the

struggles that followed. But he and some of his players have

persevered and find themselves gaining steam.

“It’s been a long road, but a good challenge for me and the kids,”

Thomsen said. “The seniors have grown together and we look forward to

having some substantial success this season.”