 | | | Kyle Everly Photo Gint Federas | | | | | | Acalanes senior Kyle Everly just missed out on claiming the NCS Division I singles tennis title, losing 6-3, 6-3 to Rishab Sardana of James Logan on May 3.
"It's a major accomplishment." Acalanes head coach Stephanee Lawrence said of Everly's runner-up finish. "We're in not only one of the best leagues in California, but also one of the best sections in the country."
In addition to Everly's strong play on the court, Lawrence praised him for being a renaissance man of it too.
"He's been a captain and a leader and Kyle just does so many things between academics and Eagle Scouting and other sports," Lawrence said. "He just does everything really well."
Before advancing to the finals at Round Hill Country Club in Alamo, Everly first had to get past teammate and fellow senior Ryan Cardiff.
"He had good competition," Lawrence said. "One of his toughest competitions was his own teammate in Ryan Cardiff in the semi[final]."
Along with DFAL singles champ Isaiah Bird, Everly and Cardiff form the Dons' trio of senior stars. While those three are the headliners, Lawrence's squad includes a crop of seven talented seniors.
"We're pretty deep compared to most teams," Lawrence said. "So, we're strong in the doubles. But all these teams have very good top singles players, which is why we look to Kyle, Ryan, and Isaiah, who did win the league, to compete with [the top competition]."
The Dons will need all that depth as they attempt to one up their run to the semifinals of the CIF State tournament last spring.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA