2013 Girls Tennis Capsules
ARBOR VIEW
Head coach: George Arizmendiz, first season
2012 record: 2-9 (1-8 Northwest, fifth)
Top players: Elen Safarian (Sr.), Imoni Coward (Sr.)
Outlook: The Aggies struggled to make headway in the Northwest League last season, but are hoping to show improvement this year.
BOULDER CITY
Head coach: Eric Speaker, 12th season
2012 record: 12-2 (11-1 I-A Sunrise, first)
Top players: Melissa O’Berto (Jr.), Aiyana Donske (Sr.)
Outlook: The Eagles bring back a solid 1-2 punch in singles in O’Berto and Donske and should be in position to successfully defend their Sunrise League title.
“We have a good nucleus returning from last year,” Speaker said. “We will try to build on last year’s success.”
CENTENNIAL
Head coach: Rich Stevens, first season
2012 record: 7-6 (6-4 Southwest, third)
Top players: Michella Albright (Sr.), Savannah Sgro (Sr.), Danielle Mortensen (Sr.), Leeza Brown (Sr.), Bethannie Tamargo (Sr.), Kasey Chafetz (Sr.), Kassie Cerda (Sr.)
Outlook: Albright, who went 24-8 in singles last season, may be one of the top players in the Sunset Region.
The Bulldogs have a handful of seniors, but few of them have a lot of varsity experience.
Still, Centennial should have plenty of talent and depth to qualify for the postseason.
CIMARRON-MEMORIAL
Head coach: Don Nordstrom, first season
2012 record: 3-8 (2-8 Southwest, fifth)
Returning letter winners: Seven
Top players: Justine Felix (So.), Tiersa Schultz (Sr.), Makenna Osborne (So.), Briana Brevard-Mays (Sr.), Krizel Sagun (Sr.)
Outlook: Nordstrom brings plenty of coaching experience including stops at a small handful of Southern Nevada schools in 21 seasons.
He inherits a team that struggled at times last season.
“We’re looking to improve as a team and individually,” Nordstrom said.
CORONADO
Head coach: Luther Bohanan, fourth season
2012 record: 14-1 (10-0 Southeast, first)
Returning letter winners: Five
Top players: Paris Reese (Sr.)
Outlook: The defending Sunrise Region champions always are among the state’s elite.
DESERT PINES
Head coach: Jan Van Tuyl, third season
2012 record: 11-6 (10-2 I-A Sunrise, second)
Returning letter winners: Three
Top players: Ashley Palacios (So.), Cecilia Garcia Leon (So.), Jasmine Chamberlain (Sr.)
Outlook: The Jaguars lost a senior class that helped the program build from forfeiting most matches to finishing one game out of first place last season.
Two other players who would have returned, moved.
Still, Desert Pines welcomes back Palacios, who went 52-2 in doubles sets, and Garcia Leon, who was 36-18 in singles sets last year.
“Unfortunately, we have a very transient group who move frequently,” Van Tuyl said. “Of eight players out, five have no playing experience, except for the last six weeks of learning. I’ll be pleased with whatever we get.”
ELDORADO
Head coach: Jesse Medellin
2012 record: 8-6 (4-6 Southeast, tied for fourth)
Returning starters: Five
Top players: Kerrigan Holman, Jazmine Sanchez, Dora Carrillo, Cheyenne Delicate, Melissa Guerrero
Outlook: The Sundevils return five starters.
“We look forward to a competitive year in a tough Southeast League,” Medellin said. “We have some new players who can hopefully step up and fill some holes.
“The girls have worked hard all summer and are excited to get the season under way.”
FAITH LUTHERAN
Head coach: Jeff Foley, third season
2012 record: 17-4 (10-2 I-A Sunset, second)
Returning letter winners: 12
Top players: Kathleen Wright (Jr.), Madison Foley (Fr.), Rachel Taber (Sr.), Chandler Young (Sr.)
Outlook: If not for The Meadows, the Crusaders would have gone undefeated last year. All four of Faith Lutheran’s losses came to the Mustangs, including the state final.
Young and Taber finished fourth in the state in doubles last year, and along with Wright, lead a list of 12 returnees who hope to make up for the loss of six players as Faith hopes to make its fourth straight trip to the playoffs.
“We have to take one match at a time and continue to improve and compete every day,” Foley said. “The talent is there, now the talent must be utilized to its fullest.”
FOOTHILL
Head coach: Matt Iglitz, eighth season
2012 record: 4-7 (4-6 Southeast, fourth)
Returning letter winners: 11
Top players: Lilly Nettles (Jr.)
Outlook: The Falcons have to replace four starters lost to graduation, but bring back 11 letter winners.
“We hope to compete for a second straight playoff berth,” Iglitz said. “Foothill will look to improve its overall record as the team moves forward with the goal of returning to the team playoffs.”
TECH
Head coach: Randy Michalak, third season
2012 record: 4-9 (4-8 I-A Sunrise, fourth)
Top players: Sydney Bunker (Sr.)
Outlook: The Roadrunners qualified for the postseason last season and hope to show improvement this season.
VIRGIN VALLEY
Head coach: Jon Felix, first season
2012 record: 4-8 (4-8 I-A Sunrise, tied for fourth)
Returning letter winners: Four
Top players: Kaycee Anderson (Sr.), Emily Andreola (Sr.), Sara Anderson (Jr.)
Outlook: The Bulldogs missed out on the postseason last year, losing a tiebreaker for the Sunrise League’s final spot.
“We are rebuilding with a new coach,” Felix said. “We hope to have a winning season.”