Photo Gallery: 2008-09 HS GameTime year-end honorees

The Riverside Arlington girls tennis program was in a state of limbo at the turn of the millennium, having seen a steady turnover in coaching.

Eric Biddle brought some much-needed stability to the program when he stepped into the role in 2000, and his dedication and passion for teaching the game lifted the program to new heights.

"Eric is an outstanding family man, and he's brought that to the team," Arlington athletic director Jack Harrison said. "He's treats everyone he coaches like a member of his family."

Arlington had a storybook season under Biddle this school year, capturing its first league title before making an unlikely postseason run to capture the CIF Division 5 title.

For this, Biddle has been selected the HS GameTime girls coach of the year.

Biddle had only one player on this year's team with extensive formal training (outside private coaching).

"They've come up the ranks here," Biddle said. "Not many championship tennis teams do it that way, and that's a real testament to these girls' work ethic."

Arlington (22-1) knocked off top-seeded Calabasas Viewpoint in the semifinals and dispatched No. 3 seed Sherman Oaks Buckley in the Division 5 final.

"Not many teams get to end their season with a victory," Biddle said. "It's an amazing feeling and a dream come true. The kids never quit and they kept on believing."

It was just the beginning of a great coaching season for Biddle. He guided the girls basketball team to its best season in years and led the boys tennis team to a league title and the CIF semifinals.

STORY: Boys coach of the year