Preview - 2006 Girls’ Tennis

(This upcoming season will be Coach Castillo’s third year with the team.)

After an incredible turnaround, (2004: 3W-10L, 2005: 7W-6L) in such a short amount of time, this year’s Lady Pilots Tennis Team is ready to make their mark.  Despite losing 6 regular Varsity starters from last year, including 2004’s MVP (Edme Nunez) and Most Improved Player (Jasmin Morales) to graduation, the team is looking to continue to build on a strong foundation that was left.  Returning to the team are last year’s #1 & #2 players Margaret Young & Nancy Melgoza (2005 MVP).

Joining them to form the core of returning Varsity players are Cinthya Monroy (2005 Most Improved Player) and Adriana Garcia.  Jackie Gonzalez, who came on strong at the end of the 2005 season to earn a spot on the Varsity squad, continues to improve and impress with some amazing victories against her teammates during practice.  Also making the jump from last year’s JV squad to this year’s Varsity team is Yvette Aguilar.

While the loss of players from last year’s squad was quite significant (7 players total: 6 to graduation, 1 non-returner), a new & exciting bunch of players looks to have an immediate impact and fill some of those gaps.  Leading this new bunch are 3 multi-sport athletes, who came over from the basketball squad: Graziel Nafarette, Jackie Humara & Melissa “Nemo” Hernandez.  Another key addition to the varsity rotation is Ms. DeBaun’s P.E. protégé: Norma Santamaria.

Looking to challenge these star newcomers for the final Varsity spots are Jenny Berrios, Veronica Trujillo & JV returner Rubi Haro.

Constantly improving and rounding out the team’s future are Freshmen Michelle Padilla & Rocio Prieto, Sophomores Diana Alvarado, Cristina Alvarado & Breeana Warntjes, and Junior Kathleen Batangan.

With only 2 seniors on this year’s team, (Young & Aguilar), the present and future looks very bright.  Good Luck Pilots!