Canyon Lake Tennis Club congratulates TCHS team

BY Ariana Shah

The Canyon Lake Tennis Club has reached out to the Temescal Canyon High School tennis teams which are made up of some of the club’s former players and Canyon Lake residents to honor them for a successful season.

The seasons are wrapping up and despite the COVID-19 restrictions which interrupted the teams’ practices and matches, both the boys and the girls teams made it to the playoffs.

The girls team is still in competition and have made it to the quarter finals of the playoffs. The boys team is finished, but made it to the CIF playoffs before being defeated to end the year.

“I am so proud of the tennis team this year. The majority of the kids had never competed at the varsity level,” TCHS Head Coach Mariano Gallo said. “They showed tenacity, endurance, mental toughness and team spirit. I can’t wait to see them grow as tennis players and as young adults.”

With the teams made up of primarily new athletes, making it to the playoffs was monumental, Mariano said. Canyon Lake resident Connor Martilla is a junior and earned the League Title for Singles. Canyon Lake freshman Talan Denson and his doubles partner, Sean Atlas, a sophomore, earned the League Title for Doubles.

“Not only is the team made of exceptional athletes, but they are also exceptional students,” the coach said. “Connor has earned a cumulative GPA of 4.4. Talan has a perfect cumulative 4.0 GPA.”

The Canyon Lake Tennis Club said it wants to to also congratulate head coach Mariano and assistant coach Lori Borresen for their dedication this season.

Mariano has been teaching tennis for over 46 years. He also holds many recognitions as the Former Peruvian Junior National Champion and Former Junior Davis Cup member for the Peruvian National Team. He was a tennis pro for the Beverly Hills Hotel alongside Wimbledon, Davis Cup and Australian Champion Alex Olmedo.

Lori has earned a winning record during her time with the tennis teams.