T.O. TRIES TO NET SECTION TITLE.

Byline: Erik Boal

Special to the Daily News

Thousand Oaks didn't win the Marmonte League title, nor is it the highest-ranked local team in the Southern Section Div. I boys' tennis playoffs.

But the Lancers are the team that no one in Southern California wants to face during the next three weeks, especially if they're at full strength.

With USTA ranked players Marcos Giron, Denis Lin and Kyle McMorrow competing in singles and Alex Johnson and Ken Wang anchoring the doubles lineup, Thousand Oaks (14-3) could be a darkhorse in the race for the Div. I title.

"We know it's going to take a pretty darn good team to beat us," Thousand Oaks coach Dave Assorson said. "There's a lot of good teams out there like Corona del Mar and University and Peninsula, so we know it's not going to be easy for us. But it's not going to be easy for them either."

With Giron, Lin and McMorrow competing in USTA tournaments throughout April, the Lancers lost both times to Calabasas (19-1) and once to Agoura, costing them a shot at the Marmonte League title.

But after McMorrow won the Marmonte singles tournament and Giron and Lin teamed to capture the doubles title Friday, Thousand Oaks has plenty of momentum entering Thursday's opening round against visiting Loyola of Los Angeles (11-4).

"We have three guys fully capable of winning all three sets if they're playing well," Assorson said. "As long as we have our big three and our No.1 doubles team, I'll let the rest of it fall where it may."

Calabasas, ranked No. 9 in Div. I, plays host Thursday to Palos Verdes (8-6) and No. 5 Harvard-Westlake of Studio City (15-4) faces San Marcos of Santa Barbara (8-9) at Studio City Tennis Center.

Viewpoint of Calabasas (14-6) begins its quest for a fifth consecutive division championship -- second in Div. IV -- when it faces the winner of today's wild-card match between Paramount and St.Margaret's of San Juan Capistrano.

The third-seeded Patriots captured three straight titles in Div. V, before knocking off Cerritos in last year's Div. IV final.

Foothill champion Valencia (19-1) received the No. 4 seed in Div. II and will face Glendale or Nipomo on Thursday. Campbell Hall of North Hollywood is the No. 4 seed in Div. III, but will have to travel to La Quinta of Westminster after finishing third in the Olympic League.