Thousand Oak boys' tennis team deep, talented

With a trio of nationally ranked players on its roster, the Thousand Oaks High boys' tennis squad is considered a favorite to win the Marmonte League title.

Beyond that, a CIF championship is certainly within the realm of possibility, too, although TOHS wasn't ranked in an initial CIF-Southern Section Division I coaches' poll released Monday.

"We're probably far and away the best team in the league," said Lancer junior Kyle McMorrow, who's ranked 13th in the United States Tennis Association's Boys' 18 Singles division.

"We might also be one of the best teams in the section and a contender for CIF. I'm not sure if we are the favorite, but we have to be one of the favorites."

The 17-year-old McMorrow, who recently won the USTA National Open in Hawaii, is joined on the Thousand Oaks roster by fellow USTA competitors Denis Lin and Marcos Giron.

All three players are in their first season with the Lancers. McMorrow and Lin are independent study students through the high school. Giron is a freshman.

Lin, a junior, is ranked 19th nationally in the USTA Boys' 18 Singles division. Entering the month, Lin had compiled a 61-23 amateur record.

Giron is 71-28 in his playing career and is ranked 94th in the USTA Boys' 16 Singles division.

"They are three heavyweights," Thousand Oaks head coach Dave Assorson said. "Giron is a freshman who plays like a senior. McMorrow and Lin are highly skilled players who rank in the top 20 in the country.

"Having those guys on the team makes a huge difference. It means I can put the rest of the players into doubles when need be. When (McMorrow, Lin and Giron) are here, it's going to take a gargantuan effort from some team to beat any of those guys."

Alas, there is a ray of hope for the rest of the league.

Often, because of their busy travel schedules, T.O.'s Big Three won't be taking the court together- at least during the regular season, whereas the potential playoff schedule looks a bit more optimistic for the Lancers.

When McMorrow, Lin and Giron miss time- McMorrow and Lin were absent from Tuesday's 126 loss at Calabasas High- others have to elevate their games.

Sophomore Matt Skwaruzynski has been a valuable asset to Thousand Oaks (4-1, 2-1 in league), competing at a high level in both singles and doubles action.

"We definitely have to step up, but we also know we can handle ourselves out there," Skwaruzynski said. "We know we're safer with those three guys playing, but when they're not here, we should still be all right.

"They weren't here last year, but we still made the CIF playoffs."

Alex Johnson and Ken Wang have been working as the Lancers' No. 1 doubles team. Johnson also plays singles. Brian Moon and Young Kim are a formidable No. 2 doubles pairing.

Ben Moon, Michael Kunisaki, Bobby Kane, William Lees and Brian Morris will all play important roles for Thousand Oaks throughout the season, Assorson said.

According to Skwaruzynski and his coach, the TOHS players have welcomed McMorrow, Lin and Giron to the team with open arms. Besides spending a little extra time scheduling his lineup each week, Assorson said the transition has been seamless.

"The rest of the guys realize that these are tremendous players who will do nothing but help us," Assorson said. "Nobody is hanging their head because they aren't playing. They're thrilled to have the new guys with us."