Stunova a Winner in Any Language

It has been two years since Rio Mesa High’s Zuzana Stunova left her native Czech Republic, and some say she just hasn’t been the same.

“She’s a little American girl now,” Rio Mesa tennis Coach Steve Worthington said. “She’s been experiencing America and has [become] acclimated to everything here.”

Stunova came to the United States in 1994 as a 14-year-old foreign exchange student. She spoke little English, but her top-10 ranking among Czech 14-year-olds helped her adjust to her new surroundings.

After enrolling at Rio Mesa, Stunova won Channel League and Southern Section individual titles in each of the last two seasons, and blasted her way to a 62-0 record in the recently completed high school season. She hasn’t lost a match since women’s tournament at Santa Barbara in July.

For her efforts, Stunova has been named The Times’ all-region tennis player of the year.

Off the court, her transition took a little longer.

“It was pretty hard when I first came here because my English was very bad,” she said. “I just knew the basics.”

She credits hard work in the classroom and the influence of three families she has lived with during her stay for helping her overcome the language barrier.

“Now I think in English,” she said.

Her study habits have paid off in other areas as well. Stunova took her last final examination on Thursday and has graduated early from Rio Mesa.

She has accepted a tennis scholarship from the University of Washington and will begin classes in January, majoring in international business. She is expected to play No. 3 or No. 4 singles for the Huskies.

“I wanted to graduate early anyway, and I wasn’t sure if I would go to college in January or September,” she said. “First I was thinking to go home in January . . . but then I got this opportunity and I just went for it.”

That isn’t the only opportunity she has taken advantage since coming to America.

She has traveled to Las Vegas and New York, played tennis year-round and learned to drive at the age of 17--a year younger than is allowed in her native country.

“[Learning to drive] was great,” she said with a laugh. “I started to drive with a stick shift. It took a long time, but once I got going I was fine.”

She has grown fond of alternative rock radio stations KROQ and Y-107 during her three years here and is a regular on weekend trips to the movies.

After adjusting to the U.S. during her sophomore year, Stunova applied for a student visa so she could remain.

“I had never been here before then,” she said. “I just heard that everything is great.”

So Zuzana, is everything great here?

“There is nothing disappointing about the U.S.”

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All-Region Tennis / First Team

SINGLES

Helena Horak, Westlake, Jr.

The two-time Marmonte League champion and the league’s co-most valuable player set records of 55-2 in the regular season and 15-0 in the playoffs. Horak, ranked 16th among 16-year-olds by the Southern California Tennis Assn., advanced to the Southern Section round of 16.

Jieun Jacobs, Hart, Fr.

The top-ranked 14-year-old in Southern California, Jacobs was 42-3 in sets this season, including 30-0 in Foothill League sets. She won the Foothill League championship and advanced to the Southern Section quarterfinals.

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DOUBLES

Deborah Pepkowitz, Calabasas, Sr.

The UC Santa Barbara-bound Pepkowitz teamed with Shervin Saedinia to reach the doubles final in the Southern Section tournament. She had a 56-1 record in sets as a singles player during the regular season. She is ranked 39th in the SCTA’s 18-and-under division.

Shervin Saedinia, Calabasas, So.

Before teaming with Pepkowitz to reach the Southern Section doubles final, Saedinia impressed as a singles player by posting a 59-1 regular-season record. Ranked 31st among 16-year-olds by the SCTA, she helped the Coyotes finish with a 19-3 record and reach the Division IV semifinals.

All-Region Tennis / Second Team

SINGLES

Darian Chappell, Camarillo, Sr. Ranked 13th in the SCTA’s 18-and-under division, Chappell was an All-Marmonte League selection and helped the Scorpions to a 14-0 league record and a spot in the Division I semifinals. Headed for UC Irvine, Chappell had a 23-1 singles record in league play.

Lindsy Forbess, Harvard-Westlake, Jr. The Mission League champion had an overall set record of 49-8, including 11-1 in the playoffs. The Wolverines reached the Division III semifinals. Played better than her SCTA ranking of No. 77 among 16-year-olds in Southern California.

Teresa Galido, Chaminade, So. The top singles player for the Mission League champion, Galido was 40-9 in sets and runner-up in the league tournament. Galido, ranked 48th among 16-year-olds by the SCTA, helped the Eagles remain undefeated until they lost to Fullerton Rosary in the Division IV final.

DOUBLES

Erin Smith, Westlake, Sr. She shared the most valuable player award in the Marmonte League before teaming with her sister, Erin, to win the league doubles title. She is ranked 42nd among 18-year-olds by the SCTA and had a 63-6 singles record, leading the Warriors to a 20-5 season.

Katy Smith, Westlake, Sr. Was 12-2 with her twin, Erin, and advanced to round of 16 of the Southern Section individual tournament. An all-league selection, she had a 58-11 record in singles sets and was an integral part of a Warrior team that reached the Division III final.