It was on April 27 of last year, during the Region 7-AAA tournament that then Gainesville freshman Ryan Joiner learned a lesson that would carry him through this tennis season.

With his team facing Johnson for the region title, Joiner lost to Brandon Sloan in No. 2 singles in what wound up being the deciding match, giving Johnson the region title.

It was on April 17 of this year that Joiner proved he learns from his mistakes.

After winning the first set 7-5 against Creekview’s Cameron Murphy, Joiner earned a tie breaker victory at 8-6 to give his team the region title.

"It was insane, just intense," Joiner said "When I saw that I was the only one left on the court, I knew that everthing was up to me.

"I didn’t want to end up like I did my freshman year. I just thought of my team and that carried me through."

While the win was poignant in Joiner’s career thus far, it’s only part of the story.

The Gainesville sophomore, playing his first year at No. 1 singles, went undefeated in region play during the regular season.

For his efforts, Joiner is The Times 2009 Boys Tennis Player of the Year.

Joiner began playing tennis at age six, and playing competitively two years later.

His father played at Maryland University and was an influencing factor in Joiner playing at such a young age.

"I enjoyed it then and I enjoy it now," Joiner said. "It’s the competitiveness more than anything, I just love playing against others."

And that love drives him to compete in tournaments in the offseason, which in turn has prepared him for the type of scenario he faced against Creekview this year.

"Because of all the tournaments I’ve played, I know how to handle pressure," Joiner said.

And that demeanor, which will only be cultivated more in his final two years of high school, will serve him well in what he hopes is a college tennis career.

"Playing in college is my ultimate goal," Joiner said. "It’s something I want to do and am going to work to make sure I do."

In the mean time, however, he’s going to enjoy being a region champion and the memories of an undefeated year.

"This year’s team was well-coordinated and had the urge and confidence," Joiner said. "We had a lot of returning seniors that we learned a lot from, and hopefully I can help continue the traditions they started."