CLOSE-UPS

GIRLS’ TENNIS

ALISON RAMOS

So., Fullerton Troy

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Then: Ramos, who is 5 feet 1 1/2 , has a reliable two-handed backhand, and her two-handed running forehand is an effective weapon. She helped Troy defeat defending champion Santa Barbara, 10-8, for the Southern Section Division II team title last season, then teamed with Samantha Nadres to advance to the individual tournament’s doubles semifinals. Ramos and Rancho Santa Margarita Tesoro’s McCall Jones won the Southern California girls’ 18s sectional doubles tournament in June.

Now: Perhaps the best No. 3 singles player in the Southland last season, Ramos has worked on her speed and conditioning with a personal trainer the last two months. She will fill the No. 2 slot behind senior Cosmina Ciobanu for the Warriors, although Ciobanu might be away on a recruiting trip when the team plays at Corona del Mar on Thursday. Ramos competed in International Tennis Federation tournaments in Europe this summer. She won the girls’ 16 singles championship at the USTA International Spring Championships in April and the Quiksilver/Roxy girls’ 16s title in May.

Quote: “This is the year I’m going to put my foot down and focus on every single point,” Ramos said. “I want to prove I can hang with the top girls.”

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Lauren Peterson

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GIRLS’ CROSS-COUNTRY

BECKY BRINKENHOSS

Jr., Ventura

Then: In an effort to make new friends after transferring from a private school, Brinkenhoss joined the junior varsity cross-country team as a freshman, even though she lacked competitive running experience. She made varsity as a sophomore, rotating in and out of the starting lineup. She was among the seven Ventura runners who competed at the Southern Section Division I preliminaries last year, then sat out the following week when the Cougars won the team title. She was back on the starting line a week later at the state finals, finishing seventh for her team and 70th overall to help Ventura win its second consecutive championship.

Now: A strong showing in track and field last season, including a seventh-place finish in the 800 meters at the Division II section finals, gave Brinkenhoss the motivation she needed to train even harder over the summer. With teammate Emily Spiker, who finished fourth in Division I and seventh in state last season, out indefinitely with a fractured ankle, Brinkenhoss will be counted on even more. She was the team’s second runner across the finish line Saturday at the Morro Bay Invitational, finishing fifth overall on the three-mile course in 20 minutes 56.31 seconds.

Quote: “Basically, I decided I needed to be more consistent,” Brinkenhoss said. “I wanted to carry the success I had in track through to cross-country.”

Dan Arritt

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Top performers

GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL

* Ashley Engle, Anaheim Esperanza: The senior, who has committed to Texas, had 27 kills and 12 assists to lead the host Aztecs (1-0) to a 25-13, 15-25, 33-31, 25-15 nonleague victory over Rancho Santa Margarita (1-1).

* Shannon Proctor, Upland: Had 22 digs, including several in the fifth game of a 22-25, 25-21, 25-21, 21-25, 15-8 nonleague win over visiting Glendale (0-2) as the Highlanders won their season opener.

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BOYS’ WATER POLO

* Sergio Cortes and Manny Lepe, Fountain Valley Los Amigos: Scored seven and five goals, respectively -- including one each in overtime -- to lift the Lobos to a 17-15 nonleague victory over host Santa Ana in the season opener for both teams.

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GIRLS’ GOLF

* Angela Villela, Granada Hills: Shot an even-par 37 to lead the host Highlanders (2-0) to a 226-283 nonleague victory over West Hills Chaminade at Knollwood Country Club in Granada Hills.

* Nara Kim, Diamond Bar: Shot a two-over-par 38 in leading the Brahmas (2-0) to a 219-230 nonleague victory over Keppel at Alhambra Country Club. The 219 was a school record for the third-year Brahmas, whose previous low was a 221.

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For more scores and highlights:

www.latimes.com/preps