GLENDALE — The grind from competing in so many high-profile tennis tournaments has begun to taken a toll on Dylan Kim.
Kim, the standout No. 1 singles player for the Glendale Community College men's tennis program, was the top seed in the prestigious Ojai Invitational on April 28. However, Kim retired in a semifinal match because of leg cramps.
The muscle ailment hasn't subsided a week later, though it hasn't stopped Kim from competing against some top players from around Southern California.
Kim qualified for the State Playoffs on Friday after he posted a 6-1, 6-1 victory against third-seeded Jimmy Smith of Southwestern College in a third-round match of the Southern California Regionals at Barnes Center in San Diego.
The second-seeded Kim, who attended Hoover High, then registered a 6-1, 6-1 win against seventh-seeded Diego Fabre of Ventura College in a quarterfinal match.
Kim will next compete in a semifinal match at 8:30 a.m. today against third-seeded Francis Yoshimoto of College of the Desert.
Glendale college men's Coach Bob MacKay said Kim, who helped Hoover win the CIF Southern Section Division I championship in 2002, battled through fatigue.
"It's become a grind for Dylan, but he's playing great tennis," MacKay said. "He's played a lot of tennis over the last three weeks.
"He's still sore, but he's got the ability to adjust very well."
Kim then teamed with Norik Otuzbiryan in doubles.
Kim and Otuzbiryan, who are the No. 3 seed, qualified for the State Playoffs after they notched a 6-0, 7-6 (7-2) win against Mark Carillo and Clint Walder of Riverside Community College.
Kim and Otuzbiryan then fell in a quarterfinal match against top-seeded Fabio Silva and Stefan Feddersen of College of the Desert.
In the women's competition, which was held at Victor Valley College, Glendale college sophomore Jennifer Chung saw her season conclude with a 6-0, 6-0 loss to top-seeded Katherine Chavez of El Camino Community College in a third-round match.
Chung reached the third round Thursday after she posted a 6-3, 6-1 win against Valerie Murrillo of Rio Hondo College.
Glendale college women's Coach Terry Coblentz said Chung handled herself well competing against an elite player.
"She played a great and steady match," Coblentz said. "She just came up against an excellent player.
"It's one of the better matches I've seen Jen play, and it will be a plus for her. She was trying to do different things that you need to do against a good player. Tennis players learn in increments, and you don't become a star player right away."
The State Playoffs will be held Friday and Saturday at Cabrillo College in Aptos.
