RMHS boys' tennis team mowing down the competition
Spartans getting no love from the pollsters
By Stephen Dorman sdorman@theacorn.com

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers PLAYING WELL- Rio Mesa senior Brent Willey smashes a serve.

Despite being undefeated this season heading into Thursday's match against Camarillo High, the Rio Mesa boys' tennis team is still flying under the radar in terms of rankings and recognition. And that's just the way head coach Steve Worthington likes it.

The Spartans' record stood at 12-0 overall before playing ACHS. Rio Mesa was 6-0 in the Pacific View League.

Although the team remains red-hot on the court, Rio Mesa was not ranked in the latest CIFSouthern Section Division II coaches' poll.

"I've talked to the guys about it," Worthington said. "I've even talked to a few coaches in the county about the philosophy of being ranked, and we all agree that once you're ranked, then you're on other teams' radar.

"We're happy to be under the radar. Nobody knows about us, and nobody has to psyche up to play us. We're just a team that's on the schedule."

According to the coach, the reason for the Spartans' success is simple.

"These guys have fun doing what they're doing," Worthington said. "If they don't hit, they get depressed. If I tell them we're taking a day off, they don't want to hear it.

"I teach English, and every day I'm looking at the clock going, 'Okay, only two hours to practice.' That's how much of a pleasure it is to be around these guys."

The Spartans have outstanding balance with their singles and doubles players.

Leading the singles are Jordan Randolph and Brent Merrill, guys who are good enough to both be classified as No. 1 players on any given day, Worthington said.

"Those two guys are a great one-two punch," he said.

Merrill, a senior, has been a varsity player for his entire career at RMHS. He said this year's Spartan team is the best he's ever played on.

"We're just really deep," Merrill said. "We don't necessarily have extremely strong doubles or extremely strong singles; it's just that there's an excellent level of ability throughout the entire team. We can all rely on each other so one person doesn't have to shoulder all the responsibility."

Johnny Wu has done a solid job as the team's No. 3 singles player, Worthington said.

On the doubles side, the No. 1 team of Luis Balderrama and Connor Matsumori have been flawless, winning every match they've played this season.

"They've been together for four years, and that's a big thing," Worthington said. "Sometimes they've played together or with someone else. But they've always been a part of our top two doubles teams."

Ricardo Munoz and Brent Willey form the No. 2 doubles team. Both are seniors.

Munoz is a foreign exchange student from Chile. He grew up playing tennis as a youngster but stopped competing in the sport for a few years before coming to Rio Mesa this season. Munoz said the Spartans welcomed him with open arms.

"Everybody is very close on this team," Munoz said. "I really like playing on this team, and I have a good time with all the guys."

Willey said Munoz brings a different style to the court, but one that's effective nonetheless. The two have yet to lose a match playing together.

"He hits his backhand a little different," Willey said. "But it's cool to play with him. He's got a different attitude, one with high energy. I love being his partner because he keeps everything intense."

Jesse Wood and Jon Webster have been effective as Rio Mesa's No. 3 doubles team.

With the Pacific View League title within its sights, Merrill said the Spartans will look to make some major noise during the CIFSS championships.

"Freshman year we made it to the quarterfinals of CIF before losing to the team that eventually won it all," he said. "I'd really like to see us make it back to at least the quarterfinals, and maybe even go further. This team certainly has the talent to do so."