2014 Girls Tennis Capsules
ADELSON SCHOOL
Head coach: Tom Gillespie, second season
2013 record: 6-8 (5-7 Sunset, fourth)
Top athletes: Sydni Ferber, Haley Fonfa
Outlook: The Lions advanced to the postseason last year and are hoping to return this season.
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ARBOR VIEW
Head coach: Brian Griffin, first season
2013 record: 7-5 (6-4 Northwest, third)
Returning letter winners: Five
Top athletes: Devin Diesko (So.), Catherine Arizmendez (So.)
Outlook: The Aggies bring back five letter winners from a team that posted a winning record overall and in league play last year.
“This year’s goal is to match last season’s record,” Griffin said.
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BASIC
Head coach: Bart Black, 17th season
2013 record: 3-7 (3-7 Southeast, fifth)
Returning letter winners: Eight
Top athletes: Winnie Feng (Sr.), Charlotte Skaflestad (Sr.)
Outlook: Feng is a four-year player, and Skaflestad led the Wolves in doubles wins last year.
“We don’t have a lot of inexperienced players,” Black said. “We will look to keep improving and hope to earn a playoff spot.”
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BISHOP GORMAN
Head coach: Gordon Hammond, 17th season
2013 record: 16-1 (10-0 Southwest, first)
Returning letter winners: Thirteen
Top athletes: Amber Del Rosario (Jr.), Zoe Lier (So.)
Outlook: The Gaels won their third straight state title last year and return 13 letter winners.
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BONANZA
Head coach: Lindsay Powers, fourth season
2013 record: 11-4 (8-2 Southwest, second)
Returning letter winners: Eleven
Top athletes: Lauren Smith (Sr.), Emma Nelson (Sr.), Sarai Saucedo (Jr.), Phoebe Nelson (Sr.), Shally Matlovic (Sr.)
Outlook: With 11 letter winners back from a team that finished second in the Southwest League, the Bengals are hoping for a strong season.
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BOULDER CITY
Head coach: Katy Nash, first season
2013 record: 13-1 (12-0 Sunrise, first)
Top athletes: Melissa Oberto (Sr.), Arianne Hess (Sr.)
Outlook: Nash takes over a team that went undefeated in Sunrise League play last year.
“I’m excited to be working with such a great group of motivated girls and looking forward to the season,” Nash said.
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CANYON SPRINGS
Head coach: Cheryl Dameron, 10th season
2013 record: 2-8 (2-8 Northeast, fifth)
Returning lettermen: Two
Outlook: The Pioneers struggled last season and are hoping for improvement this year.
“We are in rebuilding mode, so we hope to have a good season,” Dameron said.
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CENTENNIAL
Head coach: Rich Stevens, second season
2013 record: 7-6 (6-4 Southwest, third)
Returning letter winners: Five
Top athletes: Miranda Bolick (Jr.), Agnes Enkhtamir (Sr.), Katie Hansen (Jr.), Keilani Kimoto (So.), Alyssa Lourenco (So.)
Outlook: The Bulldogs return five letter winners from a squad that placed third in the Southwest League last year, but must replace McKay Novak, who won last year’s state singles title.
“The Bulldogs look to be competitive this year,” Stevens said.
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CHAPARRAL
Head coach: Karryn Hirsch, second season
2013 record: 3-10 (2-10 Sunrise, sixth)
Returning letter winners: Six
Top athletes: Joana Naguit (Jr.), Nicole Loheide (Sr.), Zita Heavilin (Sr.), Alyssa Abano (Jr.), Anna Ocadiz (Jr.), Chloe Sunga (Sr.)
Outlook: With six letter winners back, the Cowboys are hoping to show improvement.
“The Chaparral girls tennis team is a tight-knit group of girls who are ready to play hard and gets some wins under their belt this season,” Hirsch said.
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CIMARRON-MEMORIAL
Head coach: Don Nordstrom, second season
2013 record: 4-9 (3-7 Southwest, fourth)
Returning letter winners: Six
Top athletes: Makenna Osborne (Jr.), Justine Felix (Jr.), Sydnie Roberts (Jr.), Vivien Ross (Jr.), Lovely Tugadi (Jr.)
Outlook: The Spartans return six letter winners from a team that finished fourth in the Southwest League last year.
“We want to improve from last year by qualifying for postseason play,” Nordstrom said.
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CLARK
Head coach: Francie Angelov, second season
2013 record: 9-5 (8-4 Sunset, third)
Returning letter winners: Nine
Top athletes: Paige Smith (So.), Andrea Busicescu (Jr.)
Outlook: Smith advanced to the state tournament in doubles last season, but could be the team’s No. 1 singles player this year.
“We’re looking to continue sending team to regionals and players to state,” Angelov said.
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CORONADO
Head coach: Luther Bohanan, fifth season
2013 record: 12-5 (9-1 Southeast, first)
Returning letter winners: Seven
Top athletes: Lauren Coons (Jr.), Nikoleta Nikoloff (So.)
Outlook: The Cougars seemingly are always in the hunt for the Sunrise Region title, and this year should be no different.
“We’re looking forward to competing for the league and regional championships,” Bohanan said.
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DEL SOL
Head coach: Bill Powell, third season
2013 record: 1-14 (0-10 Southeast, sixth)
Top athletes: Milady Ramirez (Sr.), Alina Marruffo (Jr.)
Outlook: The Dragons are hoping to be more competitive this season.
“The team is relatively inexperienced, but the girls work hard and have fun playing,” Powell said. “Hopefully the ball will bounce our way and we can secure a playoff spot.”
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DESERT PINES
Head coach: Jan Van Tuyl, fourth season
2013 record: 5-8 (5-7 Sunrise, fifth)
Returning letter winners: Six
Top athletes: Ashley Palacios (Jr.), Cecilia Garcia (Jr.), Stephanie Avilas, Cassandra Bueno
Outlook: Palacios was 45-3 last season, and Garcia went 35-15. They’re expected to lead a team that has six returnees.
Avilas and Bueno were 38-10 in doubles last season.
“I am excited about this year’s team,” Van Tuyl said. “We have a group of kids who have worked hard this summer, and I am anxious to see how their dedication and hard work will pay off. We have six girls who have never played before, and that means three months of learning. We have a returning senior who played volleyball last season, but decided to return to us.
“Our philosophy will be ‘Play to have fun, and if we win, great, but if the win doesn’t come, learn from the loss.’ We will be successful regardless.
“This is a fun group of kids who I feel are going to be good by the end of the season.”
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ELDORADO
Head coach: Jesse Medellin, 18th season
2013 record: 10-6 (5-5 Southeast, third)
Returning letter winners: Six
Top athletes: Cheyenne Delicate (Jr.), Melissa Guerrero (Sr.), Avery Swain (Sr.), Kim Fernandez (Sr.)
Outlook: The Sundevils bring back six letter winners from a team that collected its first postseason win in more than a decade last year.
Delicate nearly missed going to the state doubles tournament last year.
“This year’s team looks to be competitive despite having some inexperienced players this year,” Medellin said. “The girls have worked hard all summer in an effort to compete and make a run at a playoff spot.
“We will be relying on the efforts of Cheyenne Delicate and Melissa Guerrero in singles and the doubles team of Avery Swain and Kimberly Fernandez to provide leadership and stability while the rest of the team gains experience through match play.”
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FAITH LUTHERAN
Head coach: Jeff Foley, fourth season
2013 record: 17-5 (10-2 Sunset, second)
Returning letter winners: Twelve
Top athletes: Madison Foley (So.), Kathleen Wright (Sr.), Talia Graf (Jr.), Kristina Berg (Sr.)
Outlook: Madison Foley was the Southern Region champion and state runnerup in singles last year. Wright also advanced to the singles state tournament last year, and Graf was a member of the doubles team that placed third in the state.
They’re back to help lead a team that has finished as the state runnerup each of the last two years.
“In all, Faith Lutheran has eight players on this year’s roster who have seen action in team state finals play,” Foley said. “We look for another solid campaign.”
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FOOTHILL
Head coach: Matt Iglitz, ninth season
2013 record: 6-8 (4-6 Southeast, fourth)
Returning letter winners: 10
Top athletes: Lilly Nettles (Sr.), Morgan Hawkins (Jr.), Emily Campbell (Fr.)
Outlook: The Falcons welcome back 10 letter winners from a squad that finished fourth in the Southeast League last year.
“The Falcons will blend a little experience with some new players to the program in an effort to compete for a playoff berth in the Southeast League,” Iglitz said. “Most of the girls have progressed individually in the offseason and are driven to improve both as a team and as an individual.
“The ingredients are certainly there to compete for a third consecutive team playoff appearance.”
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GREEN VALLEY
Head coach: Rachelle Smith, third season
2013 record: 13-2 (10-0 Northeast, first)
Returning letter winners: 12
Top athletes: Josie Legarza (Jr.), Racquel Holder (Jr.), Daria Shalina (Fr.), Olivia Nhaisi (Fr.), Elle Johnsong (Sr.), Olivia Song (Sr.)
Outlook: The Gators bring back 12 letter winners from a team that finished second in the Sunrise Region last year.
Legarza qualified for the state tournament in singles last year.
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LIBERTY
Head coach: Kih Gourrier, ninth season
2013 record: 12-2 (9-1 Southeast, second)
Returning letter winners: Seven
Top athletes: Parker Burk (So.), Payton Burk (So.), Megan Quandt (So.)
Outlook: The Burk twins finished third in the state in doubles last year, and along with Quandt, hope to lead by example.
“The girls are returning a solid core from last year’s team and should contend for the Sunrise Region championship,” Gourrier said.
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MOAPA VALLEY
Head coach: Donna Swanson, ninth season
2013 record: 8-7 (7-5 Sunrise, third)
Returning letter winners: Four
Top athletes: Kinzi Robison (So.), Hannah Rust (Jr.)
Outlook: Robison and Rust each went 21-6 in doubles last season for the Pirates, who bring back only four letter winners.
“I’m just hoping to expand my program with females interested in learning the sport of tennis,” Swanson said. “We’re switching a couple of players from singles to doubles and vice versa to create the best fit for the athlete.
“We have many new players to the sport of tennis.”
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MOJAVE
Head coach: David Tatlock, second season
2013 record: 5-8 (5-7 Sunset, fifth)
Returning letter winners: Six
Top athletes: Eva Sampson (Jr.), Nattaporn Thompson (Jr.), Madison Lemaire (So.), Vanessa Aguilar (Jr.)
Outlook: The Rattlers return six letter winners, including two singles players who had winning records last year in Sampson (20-11) and Thompson (18-15).
“Still a very young team, we will play our best and see where that takes us,” Tatlock said. “We are trying to make the playoffs, but our league is a very difficult tennis league.”
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RANCHO
Head coach: Cheryl Perry, eighth season
2013 record: 3-8 (3-7 Northeast, fourth)
Returning letter winners: Eight
Top athletes: Rosalyn Ngo (Sr.), Buvaneshwari Sathiskumar (Jr.), Alisha White (Sr.), Katrina Hutchinson (Jr.)
Outlook: With eight letter winners back, the Rams are hoping to show more improvement this year and return to the postseason.
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SPRING VALLEY
Head coach: Robert Bloom, 11th season
2013 record: 0-10 (0-10 Northwest, sixth)
Returning letter winners: One
Top athletes: Sarah Estenson (Sr.), Judy Hodge (Sr.), Shea Sanchez (Sr.), Saige Weyer (Sr.), Elizabeth Gomez (So.), Karina Herrera (Sr.)
Outlook: Estenson, who played No. 1 singles last year, is the only letter winner back for the Grizzlies, who shift to Division I-A this season and hope to be more competitive.
“This year is mostly a rebuilding year,” Bloom said. “Several girls out this year are athletes from other sports.”
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SUNRISE MOUNTAIN
Head coach: Chris Williams, first season
2013 record: 0-12 (0-12 Sunrise, seventh)
Outlook: The Miners didn’t field a full team last season, but are hoping to show individual improvement this year.
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TECH
Head coach: Randy Michalik, fourth season
2013 record: 6-7 (6-6 Sunrise, fourth)
Returning letter winners: Eight
Top athletes: Jasmine Thawesee (Sr.), Lourdes Santiago (Jr.), Avery Rayos (So.), Maleena Dimaggio (Jr.)
Outlook: The Roadrunners qualified for the postseason last year, and could be primed for a return.
“The girls team returns eight players and should be in good shape to try and make a run for a playoff spot,” Michalik said.
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VALLEY
Head coach: Matt Porter, second season
2013 record: 8-5 (7-3 Northeast, second)
Returning letter winners: Five
Top athletes: Brooke Arita-Zamora (So.), Olivia Jensen (Sr.), Megan Jones (Sr.)
Outlook: Jensen (19-8), Jones (20-11) and Arita-Zamora (15-9) all had solid seasons in doubles last year and lead a list of five returnees.
“We lost several key players from last year’s team,” Porter said. “This would be considered a rebuilding year.”
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VIRGIN VALLEY
Head coach: Jon Felix, second season
2013 record: 10-3 (10-2 Sunrise, second)
Returning letter winners: Five
Top athletes: Sara Anderson (Sr.), Natilyn Faught (Sr.), Jamie Fails (Sr.), Resha Bunker (Sr.)
Outlook: A solid senior class is hoping to lead the Bulldogs to more success this year.
“The girls team is working hard to have a season like they did last year,” Felix said. “Last year was the first time they have had a winning season and an appearance at the team regional playoffs. We have four seniors that should help carry the new freshmen and sophomores.”
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WESTERN
Head coach: Janet Roll, first season
2013 record: 0-13 (0-12 Sunset, seventh)
Returning letter winners: One
Top athletes: Natalia Luna (Sr.)
Outlook: Numbers are better for the Warriors, who are hoping to be more competitive this year after not fielding a full team last year.
“With the addition of some key athletes from softball and a new coach, Western’s girls expect to see significant improvement over last year,” Roll said.
