It is said that history repeats itself. Unfortunately for Hironori Koyanagi, it did not repeat itself Sunday. Playing in his second straight CCCAA state singles final at The Ojai Tournament, the VC sophomore and defending state champion was unable to repeat history, falling 7-5, 6-2 to Javier Callejo of Irvine Valley College.
Hiro's day started slowly as he was down an early break, 2-0. He held serve to get on the board, then broke Callejo's serve in a long game with many deuce points.
With the first set tied at 2-2, Koyanagi was broken once again at serve as he fell behind 5-2. Serving to save the set, Hiro won the game with a strong overhead smash, and broke Callejo at love to pull to within 5-4. He then held serve to tie the set at 5-5.
Hiro had numerous chances in the next game to take the advantage late in the set, but many of his shots missed just wide or sailed into the net. Callejo was able to hold serve and break Koyanagi to take the first set, 7-5.
Callejo captured all the momentum as the second set began, and Koyanagi never found his groove. Hiro fell behind 5-0 before finally winning on his serve, and then breaking Callejo to pull to within 5-2. The comeback was not to be, however, as Hiro could not hold serve again, falling in the final set 6-2.
Koyanagi finished the season with a 23-2 singles record. The loss cannot diminish all that he accomplished over his VC career, including two Western State Conference singles titles and a pair of doubles titles, as well. He had an undefeated freshman year where he marched to the state championship without dropping a set, and he advanced to the state finals again as a sophomore. Hiro completes his career with a 46-2 singles record and a 37-4 doubles mark. He will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the best men's tennis players in Ventura College history.