RIVERSIDE — Yucca Valley High School junior Ryder Hermanson won his first round at the CIF individual tennis championships last week in Riverside.
Hermanson went 6-0, 6-3, making him the first Trojan boys tennis player in recent memory to win the first round in the CIF individuals tournament.
He lost the second round 6-1, 6-1.
Two doubles teams from Yucca Valley High School qualified for the championships. Both teams scored some points but ultimately fell in the first round, pitting 32 teams against each other. JT Alexander and Cody Staten fell 6-2, 6-3. Kade Yakimow and Chaz Valeur lost 6-3, 6-4. All four are juniors.
Coach Donald Curci said he was proud of the boys’ historic effort.
“Our players did outstanding,” Curci said.
“They all played very competitively and it is great step for us as we prepare for next season.”
The Trojans also did well in the team CIF championships this year, beating Redlands East Valley Wildcats before falling to the Woodrow Wilson Bruins in round two earlier this month.
With just one senior, captain David Aubuchon, Yucca Valley went undefeated during the regular season to win its third consecutive Desert Valley League championship.