THE TIMES ALL-COUNTY TEAMS : GIRLS’ TENNIS : It’s Still a Challenge to Graham

Debbie Graham of La Quinta High School doesn’t have to worry whether she’ll make her school’s junior varsity or varsity tennis team.

Her biggest question is whether she should bother to play high school tennis at all.

Graham, The Times’ girls’ tennis Player of the Year, is one of those players who has come so far, so fast, that her talent is far superior to most of her high school peers.

For many high school tennis players, a tournament in Torrance or Oceanside would be considered a major trip. For Graham, who also plays in the United States Tennis Assn. 16-and-under division, tournaments in New York, Kansas and Australia are the norm.

This summer, Graham won the USTA Girls’ 16 national championship in singles and doubles (along with partner Jessica Emmons of Phoenix) in a West Virginia tournament.

So why bother to play high school tennis when her accomplishments in junior national tournaments will probably have more bearing on her career?

According to Graham, high school tennis is fun and even occasionally challenging.

Graham, a junior, didn’t compete in every La Quinta match this past season because of her USTA commitments, but she was 27-1 and made the Southern Section girls’ individual tennis championship final.

“High school tennis is a whole different atmosphere than juniors,” Graham said. “In CIF matches, you can yell and shout for your teammates, but you don’t do that in juniors. It’s more of a team aspect in high school.”

Graham has found she must be at her best for the Southern Section playoffs.

As a sophomore, she lost in the quarterfinals of section individuals play. This season, she lost in the final to Stella Sampras of Palos Verdes in three sets.

“I played well in the first set but I think I might have let up some after that,” Graham said. “You just can’t ever let up, no matter who you’re playing against.”

FIRST TEAM

SINGLES

Debbie Graham La Quinta Junior Julie Willett Woodbridge Junior Noelle Porter San Clemente Junior

DOUBLES

Taunya Johnson Edison Senior Debbie Goldberger Edison Junior Erin Hendricks Estancia Junior Natalie Hastings Estancia Senior Monica McLin El Toro Senior Noelle Schmidt El Toro Junior

SECOND TEAM

SINGLES

Dorey Brandt Sonora Senior Kristen Phebus Corona del Mar Soph. Melinda Leach Laguna Beach Junior Kristin Green Dana Hills Soph.

DOUBLES

Michelle Foster Capistrano Valley Soph. Jill Linhart Capistrano Valley Junior Kellie Thompson Fountain Valley Soph. Stephanie Urricariet Fountain Valley Soph. Wendy Sugi Laguna Beach Junior Kim Stephens Laguna Beach Junior