Santa Barbara High’s Graham Maassen is the 2013 Channel League singles champion.
Santa Barbara High’s Graham Maassen defeated Petar Jivkov 6-2, 6-4 for the Channel League singles title on Thursday at the Tennis Club of Santa Barbara.
The Dons senior kept the Channel League singles title in the Santa Barbara High family as it has for 14 straight years now.
“It means a lot to me. I’m just happy to carry along our tradition,” Maassen said.
Jivkov, a San Marcos senior who made it to the finals last year as well, made Maassen work for every point and was not broken easily.
“We were neck and neck the whole time,” Maassen said.
Maassen said Thursday’s heat didn’t bother him. In fact, it may have helped as it kept him loose. He said the keys to victory were serving well, hanging in there mentally, and playing the big points well.
Both the Dons and Royals begin CIF playoffs next week.
