Biorkman Back in a Painful Position

Apparently, it was too good to be true. Slowed by chronic back pain and nagging shoulder injuries for much of her tennis career, University High junior Megan Biorkman was finally having a breakout season.

Thanks to improved health and renewed confidence, Biorkman was the best player in the Pacific Coast League, arguably the most competitive in the county. Biorkman, who lost only one of 24 sets in the PCL, is expected to be the top-seeded player in the league individual singles tournament at Costa Mesa Tennis Center.

But with the tournament opening Wednesday, Biorkman isn’t sure she will be around to play. Last Wednesday, some 10 hours after Biorkman and her teammates lost a four-hour marathon to Laguna Beach, Biorkman woke up with a familiar twinge in her back.

“It was hurting so bad, I had to roll out of bed,” Biorkman said.

Although she has been undergoing therapy and icing her back three times a day, the pain has not subsided much.

“I really hope I can play,” Biorkman said. “I was really looking forward to playing this tournament.”

Kate Biorkman said that if her daughter plays, she will wear a brace to minimize the pressure on her back. Biorkman’s back problems date at least four years and they are caused by scoliosis, an irregular curvature of the spine.

“Because of my condition and my tennis, my muscle mass is higher on my right side,” Megan said. “I’ve been trying to build up strength on my left side.”

Biorkman, who missed most of her sophomore season with a biceps injury, spent this summer stretching and strengthening her back muscles. She also worked hard on her tennis game, improving her Southern California girls’ 16s ranking from 60 to 27.

The improvement continued this fall. Two weeks ago, Biorkman upset Corona del Mar’s Anne Yelsey, the fourth-ranked player in the girls’ 16s, 6-2.

“I was so focused,” said Biorkman, who is 43-5 overall this season. “I told myself she can’t beat me if I stay calm and play my game.”

Said University Coach Ingrid Bruder: “Megan’s not so hard on herself anymore. She stays more into the match and that comes with maturity.”

Last year, University’s Division II title hopes faded with Biorkman’s injury. Bruder hopes her team and Biorkman don’t feel that same pain again this year.

NELSON IS VEGAS-BOUND

Villa Park freshman Lindsey Nelson has been selected by the United States Tennis Assn. to participate in the Fed Cup tournament in Las Vegas during Thanksgiving week. Nelson, one of four Southern California juniors selected for the trip, will attend two days of workouts and clinics with USTA coaches on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 18-19. On Monday, Nelson will watch the first day of Fed Cup competition.

“This is a chance for the younger kids to connect with the event,” USTA Coach Eliot Teltscher said. “Hopefully, this will get them excited about playing for their country. In four or five years, some of these kids might be in the position to play Fed Cup.”

POLL WATCHING

The National Federation of State High School Assns. announced that tennis is the third fastest-growing sport among high school girls. According to figures compiled by the National Sporting Good Assn., participation in girls’ tennis increased by 3,235 from the 1998-1999 school year to 1999-2000. Tennis is the sixth most popular girls’ sport with 159,740 kids participating. Only soccer and swimming and diving are growing faster among girls.

If you have an item or idea for the tennis report, you can fax us at (714) 966-5663 or e-mail us at david.mckibben@latimes.com

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GIRLS’ TENNIS TOP 10

Orange County Sportswriters’ Poll

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Pos. School (League) Rec 1. Corona del Mar (Pacific Coast) 17-2 2. Dana Hills (South Coast) 15-3 3. Troy (Freeway) 16-4 4. Woodbridge (Sea View) 18-5 5. Mater Dei (Serra) 11-2 6. Los Alamitos (Sunset) 13-1 7. Canyon (Century) 17-4 8. Newport Beach (Sea View) 10-6 9. Laguna Beach (Century) 11-7 10. Villa Park (Century) 10-6

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