THE PREPS : BOYS’ TENNIS ROUNDUP : Foothill Handles No. 4 Villa Park

Foothill got a boost toward a second consecutive Century League title Thursday as the Knights beat fourth-ranked Villa Park, 12-6, in boys’ tennis at Foothill.

The Knights (10-1, 3-0), ranked sixth in the county and ninth in Division II, felt confident coming into the match after a tough schedule that included victories against No. 7 Mission Viejo and No. 10 Laguna Hills. Their only loss came against fifth-ranked Los Alamitos.

“I thought our preseason schedule was going to be easy,” Foothill Coach Dennis Claus said. “But it was really tough. Everyone we played was tough, including La Quinta. So I think we knew we were ready for league.”

Villa Park (10-1, 2-1), ranked eighth in Division II, dropped into second place.

Foothill has gotten outstanding play from freshman Joost Hol, who was undefeated before losing a set to Villa Park’s Ryan Hollis, 6-4, Thursday. Hollis, also unbeaten before the match, drove Hol to the baseline with shot after shot and took a 5-2 lead. Hol battled back to 4-5, before Hollis held on for the victory. Hol easily beat Tim Huang, 6-1, and Chad Smith, 6-3.

Claus adjusted his lineup, placing his usual No. 1, Ryan Thompson, one of the county’s top players, at No. 2, giving Thompson time to warm up before his set against Hollis. Thompson finished his first set quickly, putting away Huang, 6-0, then faced Smith.

With the team score tied at 3-3, after the first round, Smith played an impressive set, taking a 2-1 lead, before Thompson recovered to lead 5-4 and then broke Smith’s serve and won the set, 6-4.

Foothill took a 7-5 lead into the third round and the set between Hollis and Thompson. With the match in Foothill’s control, Hollis misplayed shots and made several unforced errors, helping Thompson to a 6-2 victory.

Foothill’s Rob Claus and Lance Stern swept Villa Park in doubles, 6-1, 6-1, 6-1. Dan Greenwood and Nick Mucha also had a strong performance winning two of three, 6-3, 6-1, 2-6.

MELANIE NEFF