There have been some special players to come through the the Irvine Valley men's tennis program in the last decade.
Javier Callejo (state singles champion in 2016 and 2017), Bruno Figlia and Scott Paz (state doubles champions in 2016), Valentin Baize and Maxime Rumeau (state doubles champions in 2015) and Arthur Bellegy (state singles and doubles champion in 2022).
Add in the likes of Wyatt DeMulling, Lucas Leseour, Chris Politiek, Sam Cohen and so many other high-level tennis players.
Sophomore Kiichi Ishida has joined the group.
Ishida, who won the doubles title in 2022 with Bellegy, wrapped up a special 2023 season this past weekend in the California Community College Athletic Association State Championship at Ojai.
He finished in third place in both singles and doubles over what is one of the toughest four days of the year among all sports.
Ishida and teammate sophomore Devon Kashishian fought to win their quarterfinal match, defeating Ravi Nelson and Spencer Hill of American Riever, 6-7, 7-5, (10-7), before losing to eventual champs from College of the Desert Joe Corse and Eita Ishikawa, 6-4, 6-4, in the semis.
Ishida also battled through a tough quarterfinal match in singles, winning in three sets, 6-2, 2-6, 6-3, over Santino Serrlango from Ventura.
Ishida's tournament ended in singles competition to Desert's Hernan Olivas, 6-3, 6-2, in the semis.
Ishida led Irvine Valley to another Orange Empire Conference title and a overall record of 8-2 overall.
