Girls’ Tennis Preview: Burbank looks to stay among league’s top teams
Nicole Merrit was a four-year starter and an All-Area singles player for Burbank High who advanced to the Pacific League doubles semifinals in 2016. She was a former league doubles champion and a third-place finisher in singles during her tenure with the Bulldogs.
However, even with the departure of Merrit to graduation, Burbank has plenty of talent returning for 2017.
“Losing Nicole was big because she always would contribute her share of points,” Burbank coach Loi Phan said. “She was a great player for us for four years. But really, Nicole was the only impact player that we lost.”
Burroughs also lost some talent to graduation, but returns a crop from last season.
At Providence, the Pioneers will embark on their second season as a program after getting their feet wet a year ago.
Here is a closer look at how the teams are shaping up for the 2017 season.
BURBANK
The Bulldogs are coming off a season in which they placed second in the Pacific League behind champion Arcadia and finished with a 14-3 record.
Burbank advanced two rounds in the CIF Southern Section Division II playoffs, defeating Ayala in its opener and losing to Riverside Poly in the second round, 10-8.
With two of his three singles players returning and a number of doubles players back, Phan expects another successful season.
“I think we’re going to be alright,” Phan said. “We have most of our team coming back, so that’s good. We also have some freshmen who could help us, so I expect us to be pretty good.”
Returning to lead the singles corps are sophomore Kristina Kirakosyan and senior Alice Avedikian. Last season, Kirakosyan, an All-Area selection, finished third in the league tournament and had a 45-6 overall record, which included a 6-0 mark in two playoff matches. She also went 30-6 in league.
“Kristana has made a huge jump from last year and she is so much better,” Phan said. “I expect her to have a very good season.”
Returning to bolster the lineup is junior Johana Faraj, who advanced to the Pacific League Tournament doubles semifinals with Merrit. Faraj, an All-Area doubles pick, could see time in singles or doubles.
A trio of sophomores are also back for the Bulldogs: Elza Vardanyan, Shushan Papoyan and Bella La Manna, who will all likely play singles. Vardanyan, an All-Area honoree, teamed up with Faraj to compile a 43-8 overall record and a 30-6 mark in league.
A newcomer who could make an impact is freshman Jenette Faraj, Johana’s younger sister, who could play singles or doubles.
“We have only three seniors, so we are going to have these players for a few years,” Phan said. “We also picked up some other freshmen, but I really won’t know how they are until they get on the court against some competition.”
In the Pacific League race, Acadia is the defending champion. The Apaches advanced to the Division I quarterfinals in 2016 after winning a Division II title the previous year.
“It’s going to be Arcadia again this year,” Phan said. “They are just too strong. I think it’s going to be us and [Crescenta Valley] battling for that second spot in league. I really don’t see anyone else up there.
“I told the girls they are going to be a playoff team and we need to get there.”
BURROUGHS
The Indians are coming off a season in which they placed fourth in the Pacific League and compiled an 8-7 record.
In the 2016 CIF Southern Section Division III playoffs, Burroughs earned a 13-5 wild-card victory against Oxnard Pacifica before falling in the first round to No. 2 seed Los Osos, 15-3.
The only significant loss to graduation was All-Area doubles player Jennifer Drechsler.
“I think we only lost two seniors to graduation, so that’s good for us this year,” Burroughs Coach Roy Bernhardt said. “But we have nine seniors on this year’s team, so next year might be slim pickings.
“We had a good tryout and a lot of girls came out. We also have some girls moving up from [junior varsity], so I think we’re going to be a tad better than we were last year. But you never know until you get on the court.”
One of the Indians’ key returners is junior All-Area player Sandy LeMay. Last season in doubles, LeMay teamed up with Drechsler to go 22-8 in the Pacific League. LeMay will likely play singles.
Other key returners in singles for Burroughs are senior Jackie Samsell and sophomore Chloe Bookmyer. Players who could see time in doubles are seniors Emma Jones, Yshbel Piedrasanta, Leah Prystupa and Camryn Thompson.
“We will have to see where everybody fits in doubles and see what teams we’ll have,” Bernhardt said.
Up from the junior varsity team is sophomore Alice Webber.
“Arcadia is always going to be the same and they always have strong players,” Bernhardt said. “They have ninth-graders and reserves who are better than most other teams’ top players.
“I really don’t know what CV has or what Burbank has, so we will have to see.”
PROVIDENCE
In their first season a year ago, the Pioneers freelanced and finished with a 2-6 record.
Having conducted tryouts Thursday and the team’s first practice slated for Monday, Providence Mark Pfau is still getting to know his players and trying to figure out possible lineups.
“I will tell you that excitement is high for this year’s girls’ tennis team at Providence,” Pfau said. “We only had 11 girls on the team last year and we had 16 girls come out for our tryout. The girls really spread the word at the school that it’s fun and that it’s a positive experience and they all have a good time.
“I had one girl ask how am I going to pick who is going to play and what if we’re not that good. And I told her we had seven girls last year who had never held a racket before. I told her that we are here to learn, have a good time and hopefully get better.”
The Pioneers have a senior returner in Tana Carillo, who was last year’s team captain and most valuable player. She will be joined by seniors Abby Gold, Rosalie Bedghanian, Allie Von Nachet and Amia McComps, along with sophomore sisters Iris and Adrianna Aranda.
Freshmen who could make an impact are Ella Florian and Kate Collier.
“We will be in a league this year, the Liberty League, which should be fun,” Pfau said.
“It’s nice that we have a good mix of seniors and freshmen. I will just have to see how they progress and figure out who is going to play singles and who will be in doubles. But I’m looking forward to a good season.”
Twitter: @jefftsports
