Kennedy Reaches New Heights : Golden Cougars Qualify for Their First City 3-A Tennis Final

Hal Stepeau, boys’ tennis coach at Eagle Rock High, refused to turn and look at the Kennedy players who were exchanging high-fives Tuesday across the lobby of the Racquet Centre in Universal City.

The Golden Cougars had just defeated Poly, 27-2 1/2, to advance to the City Section 3-A Division team championship for the first time in school history.

Kennedy (18-1) will play Eagle Rock at the Racquet Centre on Friday. Eagle Rock, the two-time defending 3-A champion, was a 22-7 1/2 winner over Van Nuys in the other semifinal Tuesday.

“I don’t even want to see (Kennedy),” said Stepeau, opting to fix his attention on his Eagle Rock team. “I don’t even want to hear. . . We’re a little euphoric right now, but tomorrow reality will set in.”

Indeed, Kennedy has proved to be a formidable opponent, rolling through the playoffs with by defeating Narbonne and Bell by identical 29 1/2-0 scores.

Kennedy, which dropped from the 4-A to the 3-A Division this season, also defeated Eagle Rock in a preseason scrimmage. Still, Van Nuys Coach Jim Buck said the Eagles might surprise doubters.

“Originally, I thought Kennedy was much better (than Eagle Rock), but now I’m not so sure,” Buck said. “I would expect Kennedy to win but it would be no big upset if they lost.

“My kids are a little too happy-go-lucky. Whether the Eagle Rock kids win or lose, they’re not smiling or laughing.”

The balance of Kennedy’s singles play has pleased Coach Craig Raub.

“On any given day, any player, one through four, could beat any other,” Raub said.

Bobby Butler, Kennedy’s top-seeded singles player, defeated Paul Sumagaysay, 6-1; Dae Kim, 6-3; Napoleon Calara, 6-0; and Allan Dimaculangan, 6-1. David Schwartz won his sets, 6-4, 6-4, 6-1, 6-4. Josh Etting also swept, 6-2, 6-1, 6-1, 6-1.

Tony Yean, ranked No. 2 for the Golden Cougars, lost the only singles set, 6-3, to Kim. Yean won his remaining three sets, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.

In addition, the Cougars lost just one doubles set.