Archie out for Sailors

Doubles standout Ricki Archie will not be playing for the Newport Harbor High girls’ tennis team this fall, she said Wednesday.

Archie, who will be a senior at Newport Harbor, said she has been focusing on her full-time job this summer. She said she preferred not to discuss the specifics of the job, but she was working for the same company last summer on an internship basis before she was offered the full-time job.

Archie, who played at No. 1 doubles with Christina Young last year for the Sailors, said tennis became one too many things to juggle.

“In a perfect world, yes [I would do both],” Archie said. “But there’s a lot of stuff going on. I couldn’t handle all that stress … I really enjoyed working with this company and I knew this would be a great opportunity.”

Archie and Young won the league doubles title and reached the third round of the CIF individual tournament.

“I wish [Archie] all the best,” Sailors Coach Kristen Case said. “We left on great terms. I’m excited for the season ahead with the squad I have.”

Case’s program is known for its rigorous training and thorough team bonding, even during the summer months. Archie is the third top player in two years that Newport Harbor has lost due to other commitments.

Last year, the Sailors lost their top two singles players from 2009, as senior Rebecca Arnold and sophomore Samantha Stalder decided not to play high school tennis. They still went 21-3, winning their third straight Sunset League title and advancing to the CIF Southern Section Division II championship match before losing to San Marino, 11-7. It was Newport Harbor’s first CIF final appearance since 2001.

“Kristen has done a great job ever since she got here,” Archie said. “I’d never want her to change the schedule just for me. For my health and stress level, I couldn’t make the time … I wish all the girls the best of luck. They have so much passion and dedication. I know they’ll have a great season.”

Newport Harbor opens its regular season at Laguna Beach on Sept. 8.