Vikings in the News...
Foothill League Boys Tennis: Vikes Widen the Gap
Valencia Posts Convincing Win Over Second-place West Ranch
Apirl 15,2010 -The Valencia boys tennis team added to its impressive run through Foothill League competition with a 15-3 win over West Ranch on Thursday at West Ranch High School.
The Wildcats entered Thursdays matchup with the motivation to maintain at least a share of second place in league.
Valencia didnt flinch, sweeping its singles matchups and relieving any potential pressure on its doubles teams.
Seniors Ben Inchalik and Tyler Gottshall showed little nerves in dispatching their opponents by a combined games score of 36-3.
Also sweeping in singles was Vikings sophomore J.R. Macalutas, who won by scores of 6-0, 6-1, 6-0....read more DailyNews: 2010 BOYS' TENNIS PREVIEW
Five Burning Questions
April 7,2010
1. Will Thousand Oaks repeat as Southern Section Div. I champion?
No. The Lancers boast the area's top player in junior Marcos Giron and plenty of depth behind him, especially with the addition of freshmen Chris Lees and Daniel Munami. But even the presence of returnees Ben Moon and Matt Kunisaki in doubles, along with Brendon Josephson, Greg Wise and Matt Skwaruzynski likely won't be enough to stop University High of Irvine from winning a third title in four years....read more
Foothill League Boys Tennis: Valencia Has a Goal in Mind The Vikings Boys Team Works on Dominating the Foothill
April 2,2010 -In the fall, the Valencia boys tennis team sat around the hard courts at their school.
Its eyes were directed to the signs of past Valencia Foothill League tennis champions that are attached to the fencing that surrounds the courts.
They were told they could be even better than those teams.
And they might be on their way.
The Vikings continued their dominant run through the Foothill League on Thursday with a 17-1 win over Canyon at ...read more Singles Key for Valencia
Vikings Drop Just One Doubles Match Against Saugus
Apirl 1,2010 -The Valencia Boys tennis team defeated Saugus 17-1 on Wednesday in the third Foothill League contest of the season.
Tyler Gottshall, Ben Inchalik, and J.R. Macalutas, Valencia's stellar singles lineup, swept Saugus by winning all nine of their sets by a combined total of 54-6 in games.
In doubles, Valencia's doubles team of Tayven Townsend and Dalton Ullman swept 6-0, 6-1, 6-0 and John Schmidt and Sam Yun won two sets 6-1, 6-0.
"Hopefully by now, they take care of business, go out
The rest of the teams havent been as fortunate...read more Foothill LeagueTennis Poised for a Run
Foothill Tennis: League Champs Beat Overhauled Wildcats

March 24,2010 -Last year, West Ranch challenged Valencia for the Foothill League tennis title. This season, the Wildcats will be challenged to overcome their youth.
Valencia, looking to win its ninth league title in 10 years, won the league opener for both teams on Tuesday, 16-2 at Valencia High School.
"They lost one senior from last season's team and we lost six of our nine," said West Ranch head coach Eric Spiecker. "That's the big difference, I think."
Valencia's singles players - Tyler Gottshall, Ben Inchalik and J.R. Macalutas...read more
Foothill League Boys Tennis Preview: Vikings Raid
Can Anyone Put a Stop to Valencias Quest for Another Foothill League Championship?
March 22,2010 -Last season, Valencia boys tennis won its seventh Foothill League title in the last eight years.
With the abundance of quality players in the Santa Clarita Valley, theres no question it will be a challenge to repeat.
The question seems to be, who will be ready to battle the Vikings?
Valencia returns nearly all of its starters, including its top talent, Loyola Marymount University-bound No. 1 singles Tyler Gottshall, from a team that made an undefeated run through league play last season.
The rest of the teams havent been as fortunate...read moreSpring Smash: Vikes Smash the Brackets Tennis: Valencia Takes Top Spot in Spring Smash 
March 22,2010 - Valencia head coach Annie Kellogg said it took "about 10 years" for her Vikings to win their first Spring Smash, the pre-Foothill League tournament they've hosted for the last 15 years. Valencia head coach Annie Kellogg said it took "about 10 years: for her Vikings to win their first Spring Smash, the pre-Foothill League tournament they've hosted for the last 15 years.
But as Valencia No. 1 singles player Tyler Gottshall looked around the courts in the final round Saturday, he saw nothing but teammates.
The hosts were well on their way to stealing their own show - again.
In what might have been their most dominant Smash win ever, the Vikings ran away with first place on team points, with Gottshall taking an 8-5 victory over teammate Ben Inchalik for the singles crown, and Valencia's Tayven Townsend and Dalton Ullman taking the doubles...read more Boys tennis: Valencias sour note
The Vikings Struggle in Their Final Tuneup Before League Begins
March19, 09 Valencias No. 3 doubles team of John Schmidt and Sam Yun were on fire Thursday at Valencia High.
They trailed all three sets by several games, but fought back each time to earn a three-set sweep.
Unfortunately for Valencia, it wasnt nearly enough.
Santa Monica High controlled the singles points and earned enough in doubles to take a decisive 12-6 win over the Vikings.
Valencia head coach Annie Kellogg said her team might have left a little bit on the courts in...read more Boys Tennis: Pair Troubles
Vikes Lose to Harvard-Westlake in Tough Pre-Foothill Match
March12, 09 Valencia boys tennis fell behind early and couldnt swing its way out of trouble in a 12-6 loss to Harvard-Westlake School of North Hollywood on Thursday at Valencia High.
The match was the third and final test in a tough week of matches for the Vikings.
Valencia (4-2) beat Eagle Rock High on Monday and then Thousand Oaks High on Wednesday before read more... Valencia Tennis: Doubles Dominance
Boys Tennis: Valencia Tops a Shorthanded Thousand Oaks Squad
March 10,2010 - The Valencia boys tennis team took advantage of a less-than-full-strength Thousand Oaks High squad and notched a 14-4 win in the middle of a three-game home stretch at Valencia High on Wednesday
The Vikings' doubles pairs, led by the No. 1 team Dalton Ullman and Tayven Townsend, didn't drop a set as Valencia earned all nine available set points.
Ullman and Townsend's performance follows a three-set sweep the duo earned in a 14-4 win over Eagle Rock on Monday.
The wind was again a great equalizer, as both teams struggled with lobs and were forced to be careful on rallies.
Townsend, a lefty, and Ullman, a righty, said the key to picking up points in the weather was moving in cohesion, most of which can be attributed to the pair's chemistry.
"Breaking the serve was big," Ullman said. "You normally move your feet a lot, but it's twice as much with the wind. You have to...read more
Vikes Take Tennis Classic
Valencia Boys Go Undefeated in Statewide Tourney
March 6,2010 - The Valencia boys tennis team took its first trip to the 26th annual California High School Tennis Classic at Buchanan High School in Clovis over the weekend. Given how things turned out, the Vikings will probably be planning a return visit next year.
Valencia swept through several top programs in a pre-Foothill League tune-up, finishing 5-0 after five matches and earning first place in the tournament's third division on Saturday.
"It's definitely a confidence booster," said Valencia No. 1 singles player Tyler Gottshall, of the team's showing in the 112-team tournament. "A lot of the guys got a lot of good wins, especially our doubles guys, (Daniel) Bingham and (Daniel) Bogan, and J.R. (Macalutas) is playing some really good singles right now."
Valencia (2-1) played East Bakersfield High, El Diamante High of Visalia and host Buchanan on Friday, winning 5-1, 4-2 and 4-2, respectively.
The Vikings faced Los Altos High and Corona Del Mar High on Saturday, and won 6-0 and 4-2.
Gottshall and No. 2 singles player Ben Inchalik played solidly throughout...read more.
Vikings Tennis Standout Headed to LMU
Gottshall becomes programs' first boys player to go straight to NCAA Division I
January 21,2010 - Valencia boys tennis captain Tyler Gottshall has one less thing to worry about heading into his senior season - college plans. Gottshall recently committed to Loyola Marymount University, becoming the first boys' tennis player from Valencia to go straight to an NCAA Division I team.
Gottshall, who plays No. 1 singles for the Vikings, will join former Viking Jack Zapala, who transferred from Azusa Pacific University last year.
"I decided on LMU because the campus was really beautiful. It's a nice campus, a nice, small school. It's near the beach," Gottshall said. "I wanted to stay in California, plus I know the coach there."
Gottshall met LMU tennis head coach Brad Sceney, who's in his second year with the program, while Sceney was an instructor locally at The Paseo Club.
"I met him probably when I was 12 or 13," Gottshall said. "I took lessons with him until he started coaching at LMU."
Valencia tennis head coach Annie Kellogg said Gottshall's 6-foot-6-inch frame, a great serve-and-volley game and unparalleled dedication should allow him to make an impact right away.
"(Gottshall's) dedication is just amazing - not only for tennis, but for physical conditioning as well," Kellogg said. "He'll be a big contributor right away in doubles."
Gottshall and Zapala, who is also a big hitter...read more
Tyler Gottshall to Join Lions in Fall 2010
Men's Tennis sign standout from Valencia High School
January 19,2010 - Los Angeles, CASenior at Valencia High School, Tyler Gottshall will join the LMU racquet men this next fall. Under long time Valencia High School tennis coach Annie Kellog, Gottshall has developed into a great all-around player and athlete. Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall, Gottshall has grown to use his height and athleticism to his advantage on the tennis court. As the No.1 singles player from Valencia and captain of the team, Gottshall will be a great asset for the Lion's roster.
Future CoachBrad Sceney said, "Tyler will flourish in a college environment, he wants to work hard and when you have the talent behind that, great things happen. We look for him to be an instant contributor in doubles and depending upon the pace of his improvement in singles, will challenge a lot of players. His serve and volley style leaves most matches played on his terms, if he is on, there is not much you can do. We just have to install that confidence in him and watch him develop." In addition to his presence on the court, Tyler is a good student athlete and leader. Not only was he the one of the top players in the Foothill League and CIF Division, last year he received the Valencia team Stefan Edberg Award, named after the Scandinavian tennis star, who was renowned for his sportsmanship.
Current LMU Lion, Jack Zapala also comes from Valencia High School's tennis powerhouse. Both Gottshall and Zapala have helped lead the Valencia Vikings to win seven Foothill League championships over the past eight years.
Follow the LMU racquet men this season as they start their spring competition this Saturday against USC at 10am...see article Building an SCV dynasty
Dedication and Observation Have Turned Valencia Tennis into a Powerhouse
November 2, 09 Valencias tennis programs werent an overnight success.
While the girls recorded their share of an eighth straight Foothill League title Thursday and the boys have won seven of the last eight titles, the Vikings had a steep learning curve.
Annie Kellogg, head coach of the boys and girls varsity programs since the teams began competing at that level in 1995, remembers well the trips to the woodshed her teams were given courtesy of Burbank and Hart in the first few years.
Harts boys teams were quite a powerhouse. Burbank used to kick our butts 18-0 with subs in, Kellogg recalls.
By the mid-1990s, the Bulldogs had supplanted Hart as the...read more. Vikes Fall to Familiar Foe
May 17, 2009was another successful season for Valencia boys tennis, but Saturday it ended just like the 2008 campaign, at the hands of perennial powerhouse Palm Desert.
The Aztecs rolled to a 17-1 win at Valencia High to score a decisive victory in the second round of the CIF-Southern Section Division II playoffs.
They are a really good team, said Valencia senior Matt Cheng...read more.
Valencia Tennis Breaks Burbank
May 15, 2009 Valencias first round CIF-Southern Section Division II match was all about teamwork.
The Vikings leaned on a strong doubles performance, taking eight of nine sets in the doubles bracket, en route to a 12-6 win and a second-round invite.
Our doubles teams were brilliant, said Valencia head coach Annie Kellogg...read more. Vikes Finish Season as Champs - Valencia Has Won Seven of the Eight Last Foothill Championships
April 30, 2009 Valencia finished off an undefeated Foothill League season while putting an exclamation point on its seventh league title in eight years by dropping Canyon 14-4 at home.