2011 Tennis Team Capsules

ARBOR VIEW
Head coach: Lucas Leavitt, third season
2010 record: 7-4 (5-4 Northwest)
Returning letterwinners: Seven
Top players: Manuel Portillo (Jr.), Quinn Legere (Sr.)
Outlook: The Aggies lost nine players to graduation, leaving the roster a bit thin.
“While this may be a challenge, the Aggies still have Manuel Portillo, who is considered one of the top players in the league,” Leavitt said.

CENTENNIAL
Head coach: Jeff Noa, second season
2010 record: 12-2 (8-1 Northwest)
Top players: Travis Beck (Sr.), Lucas Lee (Jr.), Brandon Fish (Sr.), Casey Moses (Sr.)
Outlook: For the last several years, Centennial’s only problem has been being in the same league as Palo Verde.
Beck placed fourth in the Sunset Region, and Lee also advanced to the quarterfinals in singles.
“We should have a pretty good season,” Noa said.

CHEYENNE
Head coach: An Nguyen, fifth season
2010 record: 0-11 (0-9 Northwest)
Returning letterwinners: One
Top players: Joshua Denton (Jr.)
Outlook: The Desert Shields weren’t able to field a full team last season.
With only one letterman back, Cheyenne has its work cut out for it this year.

PALO VERDE
Head coach: Zach Brandt, 10th season
2010 record: 16-0 (9-0 Northwest)
Returning letterwinners: 17
Top players: Tanner Berkabile (Sr.), Ozzy Abraham (Jr.)
Outlook: The Panthers return only two senior starters, but bring back the state doubles champions in Berkabile and Abraham.
Even with a younger lineup, the Panthers should still be one of the state’s best.
“This is a young squad, so the underclassmen will need to step up and become leaders if this team is to have any success this season,” Brandt said.

SOUTHWEST LEAGUE

BONANZA
Head coach: Joe Cap, first season
2010 record: 11-2 (7-1 Southwest)
Returning letterwinners: Five
Top players: Bennett Tanner (Sr.), Jacob Mabey (So.), Brian Clow (So.), Andrew Malek (Jr.), Connor Lemmon (Fr.), Andy Stephenson (Fr.)
Outlook: The Bengals have just five lettermen back and will have some work to do as they attempt to extend their tradition of success.
“We are a young team looking to improve throughout the season,” Cap said.

VIRGIN VALLEY
Head coach: Jon Felix, third season
2010 record: 2-9 (1-7 Southwest)
Returning letterwinners: Eight
Top players: Kody Cloes (Sr.), Addison Vanhouten (Sr.)
Outlook: Cloes and Vanhouten give the Bulldogs a nice top of the lineup.
“We’re looking to make it to the playoffs as a team,” Felix said.

WESTERN
Head coach: Chip Nelson, second season
2010 record: 0-10 (0-8 Southwest)
Returning letterwinners: Three
Top players: Braden Smith (Jr.), Steven Glad (Jr.), Kevin Flores (Sr.)
Outlook: The Warriors weren’t able to field a full team last year and are focusing on improving this season.
“There are a lot of new faces on the team,” Nelson said. “The team is looking to learn some of the basics.”

NORTHEAST LEAGUE

CANYON SPRINGS
Head coach: Cheryl Dameron, second season
2010 record: 0-11 (0-8 Northeast)
Returning letterwinners: None
Outlook: The Pioneers weren’t able to field a full team last season and are hoping to build this year.
“It’s a rebuilding year,” said Dameron. “We hope to be successful.”

CHAPARRAL
Head coach: Matthew Balodis, first season
2010 record: 8-4 (7-1 Northeast)
Returning letterwinners: Seven
Top players: Eric Hansen (Sr.), Martelle Barlaw (Sr.), Edgar Munoz (Sr.), Jeloni Francisco (Sr.), Matthew Terry (Jr.), Nick Hansen (So.)
Outlook: With seven lettermen back from a team that placed second in the Northeast League last year, the Cowboys should be on track for another good season.
“We have the main core of players returning, and I believe that experience will help us compete in the Northeast League this year,” Balodis said.

ELDORADO
Head coach: Phil Olsen, fourth season
2010 record: 6-8 (5-3 Northeast)
Returning letterwinners: Four
Top players: Joey Barnhurst (Jr.), Seattle Stoneback (Jr.)
Outlook: Only four lettermen are back from a squad that qualified for the postseason last year.
“With a lot of young, new faces on this year’s team, it will be a rebuilding year,” Olsen said. “We have a lot of first-year players that are just learning the game. We will look to build off of our doubles team of Barnhurst and Stoneback in hopes of making it back to the playoffs.”

VALLEY
Head coach: Matt Porter, eighth season
2010 record: 9-3 (6-2 Northeast)
Returning letterwinners: Seven
Top players: David Delaney (So.), Jack Heavey (So.), Lorenzo Capannolo (Jr.), Brandon Rinker (Jr.)
Outlook: The Vikings return seven players from a squad that narrowly missed a trip to the Sunrise Region semifinals last season, losing in a tiebreaker in the quarterfinal round.
With a good nucleus back, Valley should be primed for another good season.
“We have a solid foundation of returning players,” Porter said. “Valley would like to be competitive in its league and make the playoffs.”

SOUTHEAST LEAGUE

BASIC
Head coach: Bart Black, fifth season
2010 record: 5-6 (3-5 Southeast)
Returning letterwinners: Seven
Top players: Kyle Silva (Sr.), Ian Casasola (Sr.), Ryan Weldon (Jr.)
Outlook: The Wolves bring back seven lettermen as they hope to continue the building process.
Silva advanced to the second round of the Sunrise Region tournament last season, and should be one of the top singles threats for Basic.
“We’re a little more experienced than last year,” Black said. “We don’t have many tennis players, but a lot of athletic boys. We will compete hard every match.”

BOULDER CITY
Head coach: Eric Speaker, 10th season
2010 record: 7-5 (4-4 Southeast)
Top players: Travis Robinson (Sr.)
Outlook: The Eagles missed qualifying for the postseason as a team by just one match last season and hope to be in playoff contention this season.

CORONADO
Head coach: Luther Bohanan, seventh season
2010 record: 14-2 (8-0 Southeast)
Returning letterwinners: Seven
Top players: Bryden Baxter (Sr.), Kai Carl (Sr.), Andy Durand (Sr.), Mathew Dees (Sr.)
Outlook: The Cougars were the dominant team in the Sunrise Region last season, and with seven lettermen back, should be solid again this year.

DEL SOL
Head coach: Will Ray, second season
2010 record: 3-11 (1-7 Southeast)
Returning letterwinners: One
Top players: Henry Gonzalez (Sr.), Jonathon Cuevas (Sr.), Marcos Cruz-Ortiz (Sr.), Jonathon Hurt (Fr.)
Outlook: The Dragons are hoping to build and move up in the Southeast standings.
Gonzalez is the lone returnee and gained experience last year by participating in the individual region tournament.
“I am excited about this new group,” Ray said. “They have veen working hard every day with a lot of enthusiasm.”

FOOTHILL
Head coach: Mark Richards, seventh season
2010 record: 9-6 (6-2 Southeast)
Returning letterwinners: Six
Top players: Andreis Castronova (Sr.)
Outlook: The Falcons lost a solid group of seniors — including the Sunrise Region champion doubles team — from a squad that advanced to the regional semifinal.
“We will be looking to rebuild,” Richards said. “With a just a handful of players returning with playoff experience, they will be expected to carry the load. Our goal will be to finish in the top four in our league and make the playoffs.”

GREEN VALLEY
Head coach: Sean Amberg, second season
2010 record: 11-3 (7-1 Southeast)
Returning letterwinners: 13
Top players: Jake Johnson (Jr.), Aditya Ingle (Jr.), Bryce Klabacka (Sr.), Sandeep Srinivasan (Sr.), Alex Zbiegen (Sr.)
Outlook: The Gators have to replace five seniors from a squad that finised as the runnerup to Coronado in both the Southeast League and the Sunrise Region.
Johnson and Zbiegen advanced to the round of 16 in the Sunrise doubles tournament last year.
“We should have a pretty balanced team, and with a smaller roster, most players will be playing the entire match this season,” Amberg said. “We look forward to trying to repeat last year’s successful season.”

LIBERTY
Head coach: Kih Gourrier, first season
2010 record: 8-4 (5-3 Southeast)
Returning letterwinners: Three
Top players: Gil Lim (Sr.)
Outlook: With only three lettermen back, the Patriots have some holes to fill in their lineup.
Lim was a Sunrise Region quarterfinalist last year and is expected to be a leader.

TECH
Head coach: Jerry Wang, second season
2010 record: 2-9 (0-8 Southeast)
Top players: Carlos Delgadillo, Zachary Witt
Outlook: An increase in dedication to playing outside of the high school season should help the Roadrunners improve in the Southeast League.

INDEPENDENT
ADELSON SCHOOL
Head coach: Trenton Alenik, first season
Returning letterwinners: Three
Top players: Romain Penarviz (Sr.)
Outlook: The Lions bring back three lettermen as they hope to continue to build the program.

GIRLS
NORTHWEST LEAGUE

ARBOR VIEW
Head coach: Lucas Leavitt, first season
2010 record: 5-6 (3-6 Northwest)
Returning letterwinners: Eight
Top players: Alejandra Portillo (So.)
Outlook: The Aggies will rely heavily on Alejandra Portillo and Victoria Portillo to provide leadership.
“We will need strong play from these ladies if this is going to be the year,” Leavitt said.

CENTENNIAL
Head coach: Lisa King, second season
2010 record: 7-5 (7-2 Northwest)
Returning letterwinners: Two
Top players: Emily Mauer (Sr.), Danielle Gordon (Jr.), Nicole Moore (Sr.), Alyza Mijares (Sr.)
Outlook: The Bulldogs would be in the league title hunt in a couple of other leagues, but are caught in a rugged Northwest with perrenial power Palo Verde and a loaded Meadows squad.
Still, the Bulldogs should have more than enough in their arsenal to be among the top squads in the Sunset Region.
“We expect to go to the playoffs again this year,” King said.

CHEYENNE
Head coach: Erin Waverka, third season
2010 record: 0-11 (0-9 Northwest)
Returning letterwinners: Three
Outlook: After a winless season last year, Cheyenne is hoping to build this season.
“The team is looking forward to a season in which players improve upon their skills from last year,” Waverka said.

SHADOW RIDGE
Head coach: Dana Crowley, sixth season
2010 record: 2-8 (2-7 Northwest)
Returning letterwinners: Eight
Top players: Eliza Equihua (Jr.), Sierra Brooks (Jr.), Anna Glover (Sr.), Kylee Whittle (Sr.), Kayley Green (So.)
Outlook: The Mustangs bring eight letter winners back among a team of 24 players.
“They’re mostly young, however the returners look promising and are eager to start the season,” Crowley said. “The doubles team of Whittle and Green should be our strongest.”

SOUTHWEST LEAGUE

BONANZA
Head coach: Lindsay Powers, first season
2010 record: 6-5 (4-4 Southwest)
Top players: Alison Matlovic (Sr.), Adriane Millow (So.), Ericka Smith (Sr.), Julie Speraw (Sr.), Lauren Smith (Fr.), Marnie Nelson (Sr.), Emma Nelson (Fr.), Taylor Gordy Prescott (Sr.), Madeline Sutton (Jr.)
Outlook: The Bengals have seniors among their top players and should be a threat to qualify for the postseason.
“The team is looking exceptionally good this year,” Powers said. “We expect to do really well this season.”

CLARK
Head coach: Liz Case, first season
2010 record: 12-1-1 (8-0 Southwest)
Returning letterwinners: 11
Top players: Madee Pasimio (Sr.), Abbey Escala (So.), Sharon Fang (Jr.), Julia Hagen (Sr.)
Outlook: Pasimio is a defending state doubles champion, though her partner (Natasha James) graduated.
The Chargers have some key spots to fill, but could be primed to repeat as Southwest League champions.

WESTERN
Head coach: Chip Nelson, second season
2010 record: 0-10 (0-8 Southwest)
Returning letterwinners: One
Top players: Cierra White (Jr.)
Outlook: White will be asked to provide leadership for a mainly young team that will focus on daily improvement.

NORTHEAST LEAGUE

CANYON SPRINGS
Head coach: Cheryl Dameron, seventh season
2010 record: 10-2 (7-1 Northeast)
Returning letterwinners: None
Outlook: Losing seven seniors, including standout Rebecca Breland, is a huge blow for the Pioneers.
“This is a rebuilding year for Canyon Springs,” Dameron said.

DESERT PINES
Head coach: Jan Van Tuyl, second season
2010 record: 0-13 (0-8 Northeast)
Returning letterwinners: None
Top players: Karina Campos (Jr.), Mekham Singkhamta (Jr.), Ayde Murillo (Jr.), Crystal Garcia (Jr.), Luz Arvizu (Sr.)
Outlook: The Jaguars didn’t have enough players to field a team last year and had to forfeit every match.
That shouldn’t happen this year with nine players on the roster, though six of those nine are in their first year playing tennis.
“I am excited about the growth so far,” Van Tuyl said. “I feel we have a shot at being fully representable with a shot at one or two wins.”

ELDORADO
Head coach: Jesse Medellin, 15th season
2010 record: 6-7 (4-4 Northeast)
Returning letterwinners: Five
Top players: Alexis Sama (Sr.), Abby Marasigan (Sr.), Margeaux Martinez (Sr.), Yoli Carrillo (Jr.), Leslie Rodriguez (Sr.), Arely Diaz (Sr.), Ruth Mejia (Sr.)
Outlook: Graduation took its toll on the Sundevils, who bring back only five letter winners.
The good news for Eldorado is it brings back Sama, who went 26-8 in singles, and the doubles team of Marasigan and Martinez.
“We are left with a lot of inexperience,” Medellin said. “The girls have worked hard this summer, and we look forward to working our way back into the playoffs this year.”

RANCHO
Head coach: Cheryl Perry, fifth season
2010 record: 5-6-1 (5-3 Northeast)
Returning letterwinners: Five
Top players: Monica Ortiz (Sr.), Jennifer Deng (So.), Charmaine Andes (Jr.)
Outlook: The Rams welcome back five players from a team that qualified for the postseason by placing fourth in the Northeast.
Ortiz went 15-6 in singles during league play, and the doubles team of Deng and Andes went 18-6 in league play.
“The team is hungry to play and ready to win,” Perry said. “The expectation for the season are high.”

SOUTHEAST LEAGUE

BASIC
Head coach: Bart Black, 15th season
2010 record: 7-4 (4-4 Southeast)
Returning letterwinners: Six
Top players: Marissa Ross (Sr.), Paige Blake (So.), Fallon Henderson (Sr.), Paula Ramirez (So.)
Outlook: The Wolves were one win short of a postseason berth last year, and are hoping to get over the hump this season.
Gaining match experience quickly will be a key for Basic.
“We’re looking to improve as the season progresses,” Black said.

BOULDER CITY
Head coach: Eric Speaker, 10th season
2010 record: 2-10 (0-8 Southeast)
Top players: Aiyana Donske (So.)
Outlook: The Eagles are hoping to be more competitive in the Southeast League this season.

CORONADO
Head coach: Luther Bohanan, second season
2010 record: 13-3 (7-1 Southeast)
Returning letterwinners: Seven
Top players: Marina Arriola (Jr.), Lea Cohen (Sr.), Nicole Gardner (Jr.), Paris Reese (So.)
Outlook: The Cougars advanced all the way to the state title match last year before bowing to The Meadows.
With seven letter winners back, Coronado should again be one of the stronger teams in Southern Nevada.

DEL SOL
Head coach: Barrett Henzel, second season
2010 record: 5-8-1 (2-6 Southeast)
Top players: Gina Rossetti, Ashley Stanley, Kaylin Young
Outlook: Henzel expects Rossetti, Stanley and Young to be the leaders on a squad that hopes to improve in the Southeast League.
“With the help of the Rechy sisters (Amairany, Sinead and Kelsey), the doubles teams are the foundation (of our squad),” Henzel said.

LIBERTY
Head coach: Kih Gourrier, sixth season
2010 record: 11-3 (8-0 Southeast)
Returning letterwinners: Five
Top players: Aphrah Brokaw (Jr.), Ashley Wao-Udin (Jr.), Sina Gebrai (Jr.)
Outlook: Brokaw won the state championship in doubles last season, and the team of Wao-Udin and Gebrai also went to the state tournament, giving the Patriots three players around whom to build.
Liberty brings back five players from the team that won the Southeast League and was the runnerup in the Sunrise Region.
“We expect to compete for the region,” Gourrier said.

TECH
Head coach: Jerry Wang, second season
2010 record: 3-7 (2-6 Southeast)
Top players: Alexis Sanchez, Priscilla Sanchez
Outlook: The Roadrunners are happy to see more players come out this season as they hope to improve in the Southeast League.

INDEPENDENT

ADELSON SCHOOL
Head coach: Trenton Alenik, first season
Returning letterwinners: Six
Top players: Jessica Lally (Jr.)
Outlook: Six returning letter winners give the Lions a good nucleus around which to build.
“We look forward to competing hard and giving 100 percent each and every match,” Alenik said. “We are excited to have a solid class of returning athletes to bring experience and passion to the team.”