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Tennis season is in full swing, and the local teams are in the thick of Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League play.
Scotts Valley near the top
The Falcons (5-1) have put pressure on league leaders Aptos High (5-0) and Santa Cruz High (4-2) with their 5-2 defeat of Santa Cruz on Tuesday, Sept. 27.
Falcon No.1 singles player Zoe Pelletier is leading the charge for Scotts Valley, while doubles players Nicole Laporte and Suzie Jacobs defend the wide court as the Falcons top duo.
“We are playing really good tennis right now,” coach Judy Newman said. “It’s just a matter of keeping it up.”
The team has 14 players: Nicole Beans, Audrey Berg, Madi Darbonne, Marielle Fesmire, Alyssa Elliot, Danica Houseman, Suzi Jacobs, Nicole Laporte, Hannah Michelson, Zoe Pelletier, Lindsey Short, Hannah Spieler, Taylor Stone and Serena Strehlke.
League champions in 2009-10, the Falcons hope to regain that title this year.
Scotts Valley will play next Tuesday, Oct. 4, at Saint Francis of Watsonville at 3:30 p.m.
SLV learns quickly
Although the San Lorenzo Valley girls tennis team lacks a full squad, a home court and a local youth tennis program, head coach Wayne Sandals is proud of the composure the girls have shown in the game.
“We are having a ton of fun,” Sandals said. “It is difficult for me as a coach, because all of our players need to be taught how to play tennis, but we have some incredible athletes who are really making the best of things.”
Senior Angie Herschberger is the lead Cougar on the courts, playing in the No. 1 singles position, while juniors Nina Narachi and Terra Andrade make up the top doubles team.
The players have yet to muster a win in the young season, but they are all developing rapidly, Sandals said.
The Cougars play all games as visitors at hosting schools and have to practice at courts as they are available.
“It is tough not having a local tennis program to pull from; Aptos and Scotts Valley have Seascape resort and La Madrona Country clubs to pull their very talented players from,” the coach said. “Though our girls start late, they are learning quickly and will have this great game to go with them for their whole lives.”
SLV plays next against Soquel High at the Knights’ home courts at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.
