Duo formidable 1-2 punch for Gaels

Almost any tennis coach would love to have the problem Gordon Hammond faces on a daily basis.

The veteran Bishop Gorman girls coach has to pick which of arguably the two most talented high school players in the state to slot in as his No. 1 singles player.

And junior Anita Lee and sophomore Sarah Toti don’t make Hammond’s decision any easier. The two teammates, who faced each other in the state final last year, only continue to get better.

“There’s not that clear of a difference,” Hammond said. “They’re both very consistent, and they’re just great players.”

Lee and Toti return and hope to lead the Gaels to a fourth consecutive state team title and a 15th crown in 21 years.

“We really want the state title. We want that four-peat,” Lee said. “But we also don’t want to worry about that yet. We want to focus on improving as a team.”

Lee and Toti give the Gaels an almost unbeatable one-two punch at the top of their lineup, which takes pressure off their teammates.

“You almost take it for granted,” Hammond said. “I expect a lot from them because we just expect them to always win.”

Yet, the two girls aren’t focused on their accomplishments. They’re concerned with what they can do to help the team.

“That’s our main goal,” Toti said.

Neither girl is shy about volunteering to play doubles or hit with any other member of the team.

“That helps the other girls get better,” Hammond said. “They do that, and I don’t know that it’s done everywhere else. They want the team to get better because they want the team to win state. They’re totally team-oriented.”

If there’s a rivalry between the two, it’s a friendly one and pops up only when they’re on opposite sides of the net.

“We help each other out a lot,” Lee said. “She’s a really good player. We’re both friends, so when we play, it’s not a problem.”

They push each other to improve in practices and bring out the best in each other’s game in the rare occasion when they square off in a match.

Toti defeated Lee in the regional singles championship match last year a week before Lee nipped Toti, 7-5, 7-6 (3), in the state final.

“On the court, we’re both very competitive,” Toti said. “We get along great before matches and after matches. We don’t let anything that happens on the court affect the way we get along with each other.”

Said Hammond: “Anita wouldn’t mind beating her own mom if she were playing her.”

Lee is a frustrating player to face because she returns balls many other players can’t reach and never seems to surrender.

“I always know she’ll never give up,” Toti said. “She’s been down in matches, and she comes back to win. I love the fact that she plays so hard and she’s so competitive.”

Toti is a taller player with a bit more power. She rarely lets her emotions get the best of her on the court.

“The best part of Sarah’s game is definitely the way she keeps calm,” Lee said. “That and her forehand. Her forehand is a beast.”

Both spent the bulk of their summer traveling to play in tournaments against top-notch competition.

“They’re excited for the high school season, which I’m a little surprised about,” Hammond said. “For so many other top players, they don’t really think high school tennis is as big of a deal. It’s quite strange that at their level, they’re so excited about playing at the high school level.

“They’re all for the team and trying to win state.”