PREP BOYS’ TENNIS / SOUTHERN SECTION DIVISION I : Woodbridge to Get Match It Has Been Waiting For

Woodbridge had won its biggest match of the year, an 11-7 victory over Dana Hills in the Southern Section boys’ tennis quarterfinals, but all anyone wanted to talk about was the Warriors’ next opponent--seven-time defending champion Santa Barbara.

“They’re on Thursday and they’re great,� Woodbridge Coach Joan Willett said.

When she heard how great they were, Willett said sarcastically, “Now I feel great.�

But Woodbridge singles player Jonny Biorkman, who keyed the Warriors’ victory by winning all three of his sets, said he’s looking forward to meeting the team that has won nine of the last 10 Division I titles.

“We’ve wanted to play them all year to see how good we are,� Biorkman said. “We wanted to get past this one. We’ve lived up to our seeding. Now we’ve got no pressure.�

The fourth-seeded Warriors (21-1) will have one variable in their favor. The match will be played at North Lake Tennis Club.

“That will help,� Willett said. “It’s a long trip to Santa Barbara.�

The trip to Dana Point was short and relatively painless. Although the match was tied at three after the first round, Woodbridge led in games, 27-23, and never let Dana Hills (18-2-1) get any momentum. The Warriors led 7-5 after the second round and, because of their lead in games, they needed to win only two of the final four sets.

They wound up winning four and running away with the match. Dana Hills doubles player Hanley Ernst was surprised at his team’s lackluster performance. Earlier this season, Woodbridge defeated Dana Hills, 10-8.

“I thought we’d beat them 15-3,� said Ernst, who teamed with Erik Lundblad to win three sets, 7-6, 6-2, 6-0. “They strengthened their doubles team from the last time.�

Willett moved No. 2 singles player Yoshi Suzuki to No. 2 doubles with Brandon Shainfield. The pair won two of three sets, as did No. 1 Reza Farokphay and Ricky Kaplan.

In another Division I quarterfinals:

Beverly Hills 16, Corona del Mar 2--P.J. Gopaoco and Bobby Croll swept at No. 1 doubles for Beverly Hills (21-2), 6-2, 6-0, 6-4.