Mater Dei’s Peterson Wins Again

OJAI —  Not until earlier this month did the junior tennis world know a lot about Adam Peterson of Orange.

But then Peterson, who will be 16 in July, won the boys’ 16-year-old singles title at the Easter Bowl tournament in Miami and suddenly many more are taking notice.

“The Easter Bowl put Adam Peterson on the map,” said USC Coach Dick Leach.

Peterson’s 6-1, 6-1 victory over David Roditi of San Clemente at the Ojai Valley tournament Saturday, wasn’t a major like the Easter Bowl, but it was another important age-group victory for the sophomore at Mater Dei High School.

“The Easter Bowl gave me a lot of confidence knowing that I can beat anyone,” Peterson said. “I also know that everyone will be trying even harder to beat me now.”

The 6-foot-1 right-hander hits a two-fisted backhand, comes to the net on occasion and admires pros Boris Becker (“He hits the ball so hard”) and Stefan Edberg (“His overall game”).

Peterson, whose brother Dax plays at San Diego State, said he is leaning toward playing college tennis at a Pacific-10 school and doesn’t plan to turn pro any time soon.

“I just want to keep improving my game,” he said.