Modesto High’s McCaig shocks Beyer’s Lewis in section tennis final

Coby McCaig gained his revenge and his rival’s throne.

The Modesto High School freshman defeated Beyer junior Ryan Lewis 6-3, 0-6, 6-2 in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I singles championship Friday at Johnson Ranch Racquet Club in Roseville.

“I’m thrilled to be section champion as a freshman,” McCaig said, “and happy that all my hard work paid off.”

One year after Lewis became the first player from the Stanislaus District in 16 years to win a Division I section title, the baby-faced McCaig, one-upped him.

Beaten soundly in the Modesto Metro Conference final by Lewis, McCaig went back to the practice courts with older brother Nolan McCaig, a Division II semifinalist from Ceres High.

“Coby is one of the best players I have had on reading his opponent and working out how to win,” Modesto coach Scott Mitchell said.

That extra work – plus an important equipment upgrade – fortified McCaig’s confidence and game plan going into the section tournament. He had been 0-2 against Lewis.

The loss was Lewis’ first in two seasons on the high school circuit.

“I practiced with my brother and parents and worked on the things that would help against any player, no matter who it is,” Coby McCaig said. “It was a disappointment (losing to Lewis in the MMC final), but I knew sections was a bigger tournament. And my tennis racquets weren’t ready for the match because I didn’t have my usual string that I feel comfortable with, so that definitely affected my game play.”

It took a two-hour rain delay, a no-show by the No. 1 overall seed and a long, contentious semifinal between Lewis and Daniel Mateescu of Napa, but MMC fans finally got the match they hoped to see.

This time, McCaig delivered, driving the ball deep and forcing Lewis, a 6-foot power player, to run corner to corner. With each shot and serve, McCaig’s confidence grew.

He collected himself after a loss in the second set and finished the match with a flurry, even recording an ace.

“I told myself I had to play the way I won the first set, and I raised my level,” McCaig said. “I had more confidence in my shots and even aced him in the last game of the match. I also kept the ball deeper, which forced him to miss more.”

McCaig won with placement over power, turning the final into a chess match. While Lewis attacks with booming forehands and laserlike serves, McCaig frustrates his opponents with well-placed pawns and rooks.

“In tennis, power isn’t everything,” he said. “It’s more about strategy and placement, and being mentally tough.”

And fresh.

Seeded fourth, McCaig had an advantage over the No. 2 seed and defending champion.

While Lewis slugged it out with Mateescu, the two-time Monticello Empire League champion, McCaig was awarded a forfeit after No. 1 Arjith Jayaraman of Granite Bay failed to show up for their noon match. Jayaraman reportedly was taking an exam at the time of the rain-delayed semifinal.

For the second consecutive year, the Division I title returns to the city of Modesto. That hasn’t happened since 1999, when Beyer’s Paul Dilloway won his last of three consecutive championships.

Mitchell also said he believes it’s the first D-I boys title in school history.

“This is a huge accomplishment for Coby, especially as a freshman, and it will bring serious recognition to the tennis program, not only at Modesto High School but also in the Sac-Joaquin Section,” Mitchell said. “The Division I and Division II tournaments this year included five schools from Modesto. I think Coby is the first player from Modesto High School to win this tournament. That is significant.”

This story was originally published May 6, 2016 at 8:51 PM with the headline "Modesto High’s McCaig shocks Beyer’s Lewis in section tennis final."