Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now
ALL-COUNTY BOYS TENNIS TEAM 2024
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Niels Hoffmann, Corona del Mar, Sr.
Advocates for high school tennis often point to the social benefits as a reason why players should join their school-based teams and perhaps think twice about a solo journey on the junior circuit.
They can use Niels Hoffmann to illustrate the possibilities.
Hoffmann played four seasons at Corona del Mar High and amassed an impressive trophy collection.
This spring alone, he captured The Ojai CIF boys singles championship and became only the fourth Orange County male to win consecutive CIF-SS individual titles at singles.
Hoffmann can now add Orange County boys tennis player of the year to his resume.
The USC-bound senior developed a well-rounded game over the years but credits his friends at Corona del Mar for playing a key role in his success.
“Some of my best friends are on this team,” he said after claiming the CIF-SS individual title May 23 in Claremont. “I can’t say that I would have played high school tennis if it weren’t for the people around me.”
Orange County’s tennis history certainly would have been lighter had Hoffmann not joined the high school scene.
In late April, he captured The Ojai tournament one year after finishing as the runner-up.
At the CIF-SS individual championships, Hoffmann didn’t drop a set for the second straight year. He joined Woodbridge’s Stefan Dostanic (2017-18), University’s Gage Brymer (2011-13) and Orange’s Steve Johnson (2006-07) as the only Orange County players to claim consecutive section singles titles.
And in team competition, Hoffmann helped the Sea Kings finish as the CIF-SS Open Division runner-up the past three seasons.
“Niels enters another stratosphere and (the) short list of all-time O.C. greats,” Beckman coach Nick Friendt said of Hoffmann, who was selected the SoCal boys MVP by the National High School Tennis All-American Foundation.
Hoffmann competed on the final day of the CIF-SS individual championships with teammate Jack Cross, a semifinalists in singles, and teammates Jonathan Hinkel and Roger Geng, semifinalists in doubles.
Hoffmann relished the company.
“The fact that they’re here is such a privilege,” he said. “I love these boys.”
COACH OF THE YEAR
Dennis Claus, Foothill
Dennis Claus guided Foothill through a challenging Division 2 bracket to win its first CIF-SS title.
Top-seeded Foothill survived an upset bid from Burbank in the second round by winning a tiebreaker on games, 84-75, after the sets were tied 9-9. In the finals, the Crestview League champion Knights defeated Flintridge Prep 10-8.
Claus, in his 29th season and second tenure at Foothill, molded a team that relied on its depth.
In the championship match, the Knights (18-3) won eight of nine matches in doubles.
Claus bolstered his doubles lineup for the season by cajoling Wilson Collas to return to the squad after not playing last season.
The coach also navigated the mid-season absence of Emilio Rodriguez, one of his top doubles players was who injured. Rodriguez returned for the postseason and swept with partner Jaxon Bach in the section final.
Foothill captured the section title on May 10. Eight days later, Claus’ wife Alice gave birth to the couple’s daughter Calista. “She is perfect,” the coach said.
Yes, it was a spring to remember for Foothill and Claus.
ALL-COUNTY FIRST TEAM
Singles
Niels Hoffmann, Corona del Mar, Sr.
Orange County Player of the Year
Jack Cross, Corona del Mar, Sr.
The Surf League runner-up and Cal Poly SLO commit reached the semifinals of the CIF-SS individual championships to finish the season with a 42-5 record.
Riley Anson, JSerra, Fr.
The Trinity League singles champion reached the semifinals of the CIF-SS individual championships and helped the Lions (21-0) finish as the undefeated Division 1 champion. It was JSerra’s first section crown.
Doubles
Tyler Lee, Fr., & Caden Lee, Jr., Beckman
The brothers captured the CIF boys title at The Ojai to stake their claim as the best doubles duo in Southern California. Tyler finished as the singles runner-up to Niels Hoffmann of Corona del Mar at the CIF-SS individual championship and won the Pacific Coast League title.
David Tran, So., & Trevor Nguyen, Jr., Marina
The Surf League champions claimed the Vikings’ first title at the CIF-SS individual finals by not dropping a set.
SangHyuk Im, Sr. & Bradley Yung, Sr., University
The Pacific Coast League champions finished as the runner-up at the CIF-SS individual finals. The MIT-bound Im challenged for a third consecutive doubles title with a third different partner. The tandem also played a key role in the Trojans claiming CIF-SS Open, regional and state team titles.
ALL-COUNTY SECOND TEAM
Singles
Mason Bui, Yorba Linda, Sr.
Rishvanth Krishna, University, Fr.
Jacob Rudd, Esperanza, Sr.
Brayden Tallakson, Woodbridge, So.
Cayden Wang, Santa Margarita, Jr.
Doubles
Dario Ludusan, Sr. & Andre Hoang, Sr., Canyon
Roger Geng, Jr. & Jonathan Hinkel, Sr., Corona del Mar
Brady Schaefgen, Jr. & Cade Faul, So., JSerra
Sam Shakiba, Sr. & Ulysse Verrando, Sr., Woodbridge
