HIGH SCHOOL PREVIEW : GIRLS TENNIS : Thousand Oaks Pins Title Hopes on Switch-Hitters

No matter in which order they play, Thousand Oaks’ top two players appear to have the talent to lead the Lancers on a return trip to the Southern Section final.

This season Coach Gail Ellis has taken her No. 1 and No. 2 players from last season--Rachel Collins and Kirstin Smith--and flip-flopped them. Smith, a junior, improved so much over the past year, Ellis said, that she is now the Lancers’ No. 1 player.

Thousand Oaks, which last season lost to San Marino in the Southern Section final, is ranked fifth among 3-A teams in the Southern Section preseason poll. But Ellis said that the Lancers will be an improved team with the switch of her top two players.

“Kirstin worked really hard this summer,” Ellis said. “She has what it takes to be No. 1. She’s just beating Rachel these days.”

Collins, a senior who held the No. 1 singles position for three years, and Smith also were among the top four doubles teams in the Southern Section last year. This year, they’ll concentrate solely on playing singles.

They don’t mind swapping positions.

“It doesn’t really matter who plays No. 1 and who plays No. 2,” Smith said. “You wind up playing a lot of the same people.”

Said Collins: “I was the No. 1 player last year, but a lot of the time if I wanted to play the No. 2 player on another team, we would switch. It’s no big deal.

“But Kirstin’s been working really hard. She deserves to be No. 1.”

Smith earned the Lancers’ top position by beating Collins in challenge matches.

“You have to beat a person 6-4 or better if you want their position,” Smith said. “I used to choke in challenge matches. But now I have a feeling that I can hold onto the position. I’m hitting my shots well.”

Seven matches into the season, Smith is still hitting well. Thousand Oaks is undefeated and Smith has yet to lose a set. Collins has lost just once. But the road to the final for the defending Marmonte League champion is likely to run through Agoura. It did last year.

Under first-year Coach Vicki Sveda, Agoura captured the Frontier League title for the first time ever. “And we’re planning on repeating,” Sveda said.

Agoura is ranked first among 3-A teams in the preseason poll and has lost just once in its first six matches.

The Chargers, who were eliminated by Thousand Oaks in the semifinals last year, have four players returning who were freshmen last year. This year, with experience, Agoura should be improved.

“Very much improved,” Sveda said. “Every one of my varsity players played in four or five tournaments this summer.”

Agoura’s top singles player is sophomore Trisha Silverman, who competed in a U. S. Tennis Assn. tournament in West Virginia this summer. Silverman, Sveda said, is one of the best singles players in the Valley area.

“She’s definitely scholarship material,” Sveda said. “This is a career for her.”

Agoura also has four freshmen this year--Kim Park, Noel Burton, Amy Cook and Kathy Fitzpatrick. Junior Cindy Nielson is the Chargers’ No. 2 player.

TEAMS TO WATCH

Westlake--The Warriors have reached the Southern Section final four times in the past nine years, winning twice. But this year, Coach Connie Flanderka, the only girls tennis coach 10th-ranked Westlake has had, has lowered her expectations. “Our goal is to make it into the playoffs and beat Thousand Oaks in league,” Flanderka said. “We have a big rivalry with them.” Returning from last year’s team, which reached the second round of the playoffs, are seniors Sheri Mitchell, Kathy Graham, and Annie Yunker.

Louisville--The Royals are ranked third among 2-A teams. “We’re as strong as we were last year,” said Coach Lea Hudson, whose team reached the Southern Section semifinals last year. “You can’t get much further than the semifinals, but we’re going to try.” Leading the way will be returning singles players Theresa Raymundo, a junior, and freshman Lori Constain.

CITY SECTION

Granada Hills--The Highlanders were the Valley area’s best City team last year, reaching the final before losing to Palisades. And with her top three players returning, Coach Anne Kennedy is prepared for another title shot this year. “I think we’re going to do very well,” she said. Returning are senior Suzanna Su and juniors Alisha Portnoy, Noel Calderwood and Debbie Ferris. Portnoy, who reached the City quarterfinals in singles competition last year, probably will be the No. 1 player.

Chatsworth--First-year Coach Jo Getz takes over for the Chancellors, who finished second in the North Valley League last year. Returning seniors Marcy Linski, Nikki Fox and Leslie Wah are Chatsworth’s top players.

Taft--With 14 returning players, including its top three, Taft should show improvement. Senior Amanda Williams again will be Taft’s No. 1 player. Senior Leigh Kirsch, who was undefeated in the West Valley League last year, also returns as does No. 3 player senior Alison Fortner. Last year, Taft was eliminated in the first round of the City playoffs.

Birmingham--The defending West Valley League champion lost only one varsity player from last year, with 16 returning. The attitude among the players is a positive one. “Winning the league last year definitely motivated the girls,” Coach Irene Sipantzi said. The Braves’ top three singles players are seniors Denise Weisel and Amy Rubinroit and junior Allison Latt.

Grant--Coach Melva Heinsohn has little doubt about her team’s talent this year. “I expect us to win our league,” she said. Last season Grant won the East Valley League, then advanced to the quarterfinals before losing to Palisades. This year, returning senior Stacy Kolker and junior Hallie Wetzell are again Heinsohn’s top players.