Depth figures to be key to Laguna’s success
The second go-round for Don Davis as head coach of the Laguna Beach High girls’ tennis team has the makings of success, just like his first season.
But to do so, Davis must find replacements for his top two singles players from last season.
Davis guided the Breakers to an undefeated Orange Coast League championship last fall, a season in which the Breakers reached the second round of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoffs. He has 10 players back from a year ago but must replace Lauren Michaels, last year’s OCL singles champ and league MVP, and Claire Jaeger.
The good news for Davis is that his No. 3 singles player, Stephanie Tat, is back in the fold, as are his top three doubles teams: Brooke Michaels/Kira Hamilton, Chloe Mansour/Katelyn Bo, and Bailey Jaeger/Sarah Nederlander.
Davis also has a strong group of newcomers to round out his squad.
The Breakers, who move down from CIF Southern Section Division I to Division II this year, launch their regular season schedule Wednesday hosting Sage Hill. Davis said the team’s nonleague schedule is a formidable one.
“This is the toughest part of our schedule, and it is during the first part of the season, so it gives us little time to prepare,” he said.
*
The Team
League: Orange Coast
CIF Division: Division II
Head coach: Don Davis (second year)
Coaching Staff: Janice Ashton (junior varsity coach); John Sangveraphunsiri.
2011 record: 12-7
2011 league finish: 10-0
2011 CIF results: Reached second round Division 1 playoffs.
Returning players: Brooke Michaels, Jr.; Kira Hamilton, Soph.; Chloe Mansour, Sr.; Katelyn Bo, Sr.; Bailey Jaeger, Soph.; Nicole Doiron, Jr.; Sarah Nederlander, Jr.; Stephanie Tat, Jr.; Shawna Yang, Jr.; Madeline Loomis, Soph.
Newcomers to watch: Ashley Shelton, Fr.; Natasha Keces, Fr.; Ashley Fair, Fr.; Natalie Selin, Fr.; Jackie Cenan, Fr.; Dominique Willette, Sr.; Cameron Anderson, Fr.; Holly Parker, Fr.
Coach’s outlook: “[We’re] strong at the top and young with very good depth, so I expect to blossom as the season progresses,” Davis said.
*
The Schedule
Wednesday: Sage Hills, 3:30 p.m. (The Tennis Club)
Thursday: at Mater Dei, 3 p.m.
Sept. 5: at Edison, 3 p.m.
Sept. 6: Mission Viejo, 3 p.m.
Sept. 11: at Northwood, 3 p.m.
Sept. 13: San Clemente, 3 p.m.
Sept. 18: at *Saddleback, 3 p.m.
Sept. 20: at *Estancia, 3 p.m.
Sept. 24: Beckman, 3 p.m.
Sept. 25: *Calvary Chapel, 3:15 p.m.
Sept. 27: *Godinez, 3 p.m.
Oct. 2: at *Costa Mesa, 3 p.m.
Oct. 4: *Saddleback, 3 p.m.
Oct. 5: Aliso Niguel, 3 p.m. (Laguna Invitational)
Oct. 6: El Toro, 9 a.m. (Laguna Invitational)
Oct. 9: *Estancia, 3 p.m.
Oct. 10: at Los Alamitos, 3 p.m. (El Dorado Park)
Oct. 11: *at Calvary Chapel, 3 p.m.
Oct. 15: Santa Margarita, 3:15 p.m.
Oct. 16: at *Godinez, 3 p.m. (Santa Ana valley High)
Oct. 18: *Costa Mesa, 3 p.m.
Oct. 24-25: Orange Coast League Tournament (The Tennis Center)
(*denotes league game)
Twitter: @MikeSciacca