Lodi High School junior, Ryan Marini, made history by clinching the Tri-City Athletic League boys tennis singles championship title. Marini dominated the league’s bracket over two days to secure the individual title, marking the school’s first boys singles title since 2010.
Marini’s journey to victory began with a commanding 10-0 win over St. Mary’s Gavin Edwards, followed by a 10-1 victory against West’s Joseph Kangapadan in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, Marini defeated Tokay’s Shaun Spencer in a best-of-three match, setting up a final showdown with defending champion Ardi Buhari of Lincoln.
On the final day of the tournament, Marini faced off against Buhari in a thrilling match that saw Marini emerge victorious with a tiebreaker win in the first set and a 6-4 win in the second set, securing the championship title.
In doubles play, Lodi’s Kangxin Zuo and Nathan Leong showcased their skills by winning the consolation bracket after an early exit in the championship round. The team bounced back with impressive wins to claim the consolation title.
Looking ahead, Lodi High School’s tennis team received the No. 8 seed in the Division II team playoffs, with a match against Vacaville scheduled for Tuesday. The team is gearing up for more exciting matches in the postseason.
Marini’s triumph adds to the excitement surrounding Lodi High School’s sports scene, with upcoming key showdowns in various sports disciplines. The school’s athletes are set to showcase their talents and compete for more victories in the days to come.