Despite the boys’ tennis team 8-10 loss to University High School at CIF finals Friday, five team members look ahead to the state individual tournament.

The loss means the Wolverines will be seeded slightly lower for the state tournament, which is comprised of the top four teams in Division I, and the top two in Division II. Although the Wolverines will have to face University again in order to win the state tournament, their last match gave them the belief it is possible since the score resulted in a such a slim margin.

“It was a close match, and we proved to everyone that we have the ability to beat the best team, University,” Jared Eisner ’16 said.

The team has had a lasting rivalry with University, competing to be the dominant high school tennis presence in Southern California.

“I think everyone really stepped up to the highest level and sharpened their game,” Jaird Meyer ’15 said. “We were neck and neck with University. It could have gone either way. I think the crowd also gave an advantage to University because although I’m grateful for all our support, it’s hard to out yell dozens more fans.”

The team’s most recent match against University was the closest the Wolverines have come to victory in the past three years.

“University will continue to be our biggest competition along with San Marino,” captain Max Rothman ’14 said.

Rothman will be competing in a doubles team with co-captain Sam Hummel ’14.

In order to beat University in the next round the team feels it needs to work on finishing its points and not giving opponents chances to get ahead, Meyer said.

“There is just a slim margin that we had to break to beat University and in our last match,” Rothman said. “We couldn’t capitalize on key moments.”

The team competed in the first round of CIF Regionals yesterday.

The second round of CIF Regionals will be held May 30 and those teams that qualify will compete the following day.