1994 Prep Preview: Girls’ Tennis : Six Teams to Watch : Villa Park

Coach: Sue Gardiner (12th year)

1993: 12-5, 6-4 in the Century League; lost to Edison in second round of Division II playoffs.

Key returners: Karen Chau, Sr., will play doubles; Faye DeVera, So., advanced to the round of 16 Southern Section singles and is ranked 13th in Southern California girls’ 18s; Cari Ota, Sr., will play doubles; Jill Riley, Sr., will play No. 1 or No. 2 doubles; Susan Shaw, Jr., probably will play doubles.

Key newcomers: Katey Becker, Fr., ranked 52nd in Southern California girls’ 14 and will probably play No. 2 singles; Shawna Lerer, Fr., will play No. 3 singles or doubles.

Outlook: Gardiner, the school’s girls athletic director, returns to the court after a six-year absence, and her timing couldn’t be better. The Spartans have the talent to challenge for the Division II title. “I always said the athletic director shouldn’t coach, because it takes up too much time,” she said. “But it’s just too good of a team.” The Spartans might have been better had senior Sarah Curry remained academically eligible. Curry would have played No. 2 singles.