Nguyen Mixes Smarts With Skills

Jessica Nguyen, a freshman in the Advanced Studies program for gifted students at Granada Hills High, has always used heads-up play to beat opponents on the tennis court.

Nguyen, 13, has established herself among the nation’s top players in the girls’ 14-and-under division the last few months. More recently, she has helped Granada Hills to a 2-0 start.

“She’s a player who’s going to think her way through matches. She develops points really well. She understands strategy well,” said Craig Cignarelli, Nguyen’s private coach.

Lately, Nguyen has been doing extremely well.

Seeded third in her division at the U.S. Tennis Assn.’s Southern California sectional championships in June, Nguyen defeated fourth-seeded Esther Cadua of San Diego in the third-place playoff, 6-4, 6-1.

At the USTA Super National Hard Court Championships in Georgia last month, the ninth-seeded Nguyen fell to top-seeded Andrea Remynse, 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-3, in the third-place playoff in singles after losing to second-seeded Brintney Larson, 7-5, 7-6 (4), in the semifinals.

Nguyen, No. 18 in girls’ 14s in the USTA national standings and No. 9 in the Southern California sectional standings, has stepped with aplomb into her role as the No. 1 singles player at Granada Hills..

“For someone with a small frame, she hits pretty hard, and she’s got the whole game,” Granada Hills Coach Ron Wood said.

In hopes of continuing her progress, Nguyen plans to play in the girls’ 16 division at several events in coming months. If successful, she will compete in that age group next season.

“It’s just another step up. It’s been a process,” Nguyen said. “But it’s worth it. It’ll all work out in the end.”

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Immediate impact: Dana Hills got off to a 1-2 start this season, but has been bolstered recently by the return of junior standout Kady Pooler, the Dolphins’ No. 1 player who is back after first planning to sit out the season to train on her own.

Pooler, who reached the Super National Hard Court singles quarterfinals in the summer, returned because she missed her teammates.

“It’s been great, the same girls, tons of fun,” Pooler said.

Pooler has swept nine sets, helping Dana Hills (4-2) to victories over Laguna Beach, Irvine Woodbridge and Santa Barbara.