The Loyola High School tennis team recently concluded another successful spring season marked by playoff victories, strong individual performances, and a year dedicated to honoring the legacy of former captain Braun Levi ’25. Throughout the season, the Cubs demonstrated depth both as a team and individually, competing against some of the top programs and players in Southern California.
The Cubs had an impressive playoff run, beating Claremont High School 15-3 in the first round before falling to Notre Dame High School 11-7 in the quarterfinals. With this, the team’s season ended. However, there was also individual success in singles and doubles at the Ojai Tournament and the Mission League tournament.
The Ojai Tournament is made up of the best doubles and singles players from each high school in Southern California, making it one of the most competitive events of the season. Representing Loyola High School were Andrew Sweeney ’27 and Thomas Ortiz ’26 in doubles and Kiran Spurling ’28 in singles.
Thomas Ortiz and Andrew Sweeney advanced to the round of 16, while Kiran Spurling advanced to the quarterfinals, giving Loyola a strong showing against some of the top individual players in the region.
After the Ojai Tournament, the Mission League tournament took place. The two finalists of this tournament qualify for the CIF individual tournament in May, which added even more importance to each match. Loyola sent two doubles teams: Andrew Sweeney and Thomas Ortiz, who made the quarterfinals, and Louis Tanaka ’28 and Blaze Hinton ’27, who made the semifinals. On the singles side, Loyola sent Kiran Spurling, who made the finals, and William Ortiz ’28, who made the quarterfinals. These results showed the strength of Loyola’s roster beyond the team season and reflected the individual talent that helped carry the Cubs throughout the spring.
But alongside the tennis, this year’s season had a special meaning. Just one year ago, Loyola lost Braun Levi, who was not only one of its greatest tennis players but also one of its strongest leaders.
Braun was a four-time Mission League champion, captain of the tennis team, and a nationally ranked recruit committed to the University of Virginia. His impact on Loyola tennis went beyond his success on the court, as he was remembered by teammates and coaches for the way he carried himself, treated others, and represented the program. The Loyola community continues to honor Braun’s legacy through the “Live Like Braun” movement.
When asked about the impact Braun’s legacy has had on the team this year, Loyola’s head coach Brian Held ’93 said the tragedy brought the team closer and made players mindful of how they treat one another, just as Braun was.
“I feel like there has been a sensitivity around small interactions that guys have with one another,” Held said. “I felt closer to the guys, and I feel like they seem closer to each other and have kind of kept that Braun light.”
Held also talked about the balance between grief and gratitude that the team has dealt with this year. He emphasized that the team continues to focus on the positive impact Braun had on the team, even though there are moments where the sadness can feel overwhelming. For the Cubs, this season was not only about wins, tournaments and individual success, but also about remembering a teammate whose presence continues to be felt throughout the program.
“We were lucky to have gotten to know him,” Held said.
