Zaidi Courting Attention by Excelling in Two Sports

Shaina Zaidi is dangerous approaching a net, whether she’s on a basketball court or a tennis court.

At home in either place, theBurroughs High freshman ismaking her mark in both sports.

“What’s nice is [that] tennis is a break from basketball, and vice versa,” said Roy Bernhardt,girls’ tennis coach at Burroughs. “She has a one-handed volley from both sides, and great hands and quick feet.”

Zaidi’s athleticism is evident whether she’s serving and volleying, or weaving through traffic on a drive to the basket.

“I think it’s a very good combination for me,” Zaidi said. “I’m still enjoying both and improving in both, and that’s what’s important to me.”

Zaidi, 5 feet 7 and 120 pounds, is 21-5 as Burroughs’ No. 2 singles player. She averaged 17 points during summer-league play in preparation for playing point guard on the girls’ basketball team.

“She’s light years ahead of her time as far as basketball goes,” Burroughs Coach Doug Nicol said. “I was telling people the other day that by the time Shaina leaves here, she’ll be the best [girls’] player we’ve ever had at this school. She stepped into the program and started running the show.”

It has been a good show so far.

Zaidi and No. 1 player Dragana Ognenovska (16-2), a former youth-circuit standout in her native Macedonia, have helped Burroughs to a 10-0 record, including 6-0 in Foothill League play.

The fast start gives the Indians more than a passing shot at the league title, which they won in 1994, ’95 and ’96 before finishing second to Hart in 1997 and third last season.

Zaidi also made an immediate impact in basketball, helping the Indians to a 20-7 record last summer, months after Burroughs finished 7-17 and missed the Southern Section playoffs. The Indians were champions of the Burroughs and Glendale summer leagues, and runners-up to Royal in the Santa Clarita Shootout.

“I felt I really had an excellent summer season,” Zaidi said. “I’m always trying to work hard. I never want to stay at the same level.”

The 14-year-old has helped lift her teams to another level, a trend she hopes continues.

“I think it’s an opportunity,” she said. “I’m very fortunate. I already have talent. I just need to build on it.

“When I first came out for tennis, I heard the other players talking. I heard them whispering like, ‘Coach, who is she?’ But I’m used to it. It was the same in basketball. But then they were like, ‘Oh, she can play.’ ”

She’s already proving that.

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Simi Valley has been the surprise of the girls’ tennis season.

The Pioneers entered the season with only one returning player from an 18-5 team that advanced to the Southern Section Division I quarterfinals.

Only Rebecca Hunau, who reached the doubles quarterfinals in the section individual tournament, returned.

Expectations were altered accordingly, but the Pioneers have more than met them, raising hopes for a third consecutive playoff berth.

The Pioneers were 11-4, including 5-2 in Marmonte League play after defeating cross-town rival Royal Thursday.

, entering a key match Thursday against cross-town rival Royal.

Hunau made a smooth transition from No. 1 doubles to No. 1 singles and is 40-2 in sets. Her only losses have come against Agoura standout Brooke Borisoff and Annie Tran, Royal’s No. 1 player.

Several players who competed on the junior varsity team last season have also contributed for Simi Valley. Sophomore Stacy Gunawan is 17-4 in league play at No. 2 singles. Senior Jacey Wever has played well in the No. 3 spot.

Senior Cara Helfand was not among the top nine players on the junior varsity team last season, but she has been a consistent winner with junior Nishi Panchal at No. 3 doubles.

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Another team reaping the benefits of rapid improvement is Ventura. The Cougars won their first five matches before losing to Channel League favorite San Marcos, 12-6. San Marcos is ranked No. 7 in the Division II coaches’ poll.

Ventura (8-2, 1-2) also lost to Santa Barbara, 15-3, the No. 9 team in Division II. But the Cougars beat the other traditional Santa Barbara-area powerhouse, Dos Pueblos.

The Cougars were fifth in the five-team Channel League last season, but they are aiming higher this year with eight of nine returning players.

Ventura has designs on a third-place finish behind San Marcos and Santa Barbara, and a key match against Buena (10-1) on Tuesday at Ventura could determine if the Cougars reach their goal.