Friday, August 18, 2000
Cincinnati girls tennis preview
Falk & Co. make CHCA the team to beat
By Dave Schutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy edged Ursuline, Sycamore, Anderson and Seven Hills as the top area girls tennis team.
Two-time Division II state singles champion Audra Falk, a CHCA senior, was the unanimous choice as the best player.
Here's a look at the top 10 teams as selected by coaches.
1. Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy: Besides Falk, coach Lynn McNally's CHCA team will feature Laura Leutzinger, Jenn Dektas, Shandon Dowiatt, Lindsey Hanto, Kelly Krumrie and newcomer Alex Gross, a talented 4-year-old.
"We have depth and leadership,” McNally said. “We also have a winning tradition with two state championships.”
Falk played in national tournaments throughout the summer and made it to the round of 16 last week at the National Hard Court 18-and-under Tournament.
“I'm playing well right now,” Falk said. “I didn't win any national tournaments this summer but I finished second in a couple. My goal is to make it three state championships in a row.”
2. Ursuline: The Lions return four proven players and also feature freshman Catherine Rentschler, who's ranked in the Midwest 16-and-under age group.
“Catherine will be an immediate varsity impact player,” Ursuline coach Karen Kelley said. “She will rotate between singles and doubles.”
State doubles qualifiers Brianne Petricone and Andye Kelley will team with Kathryn Wendel and Elisabeth Wood, while newcomers Kathy Holman, Nikki Harbour and Caroline Jordan also are expected to contribute.
“Sycamore is our neighbor and the biggest rival for the (Division I) state team tournament that we haven't won since 1995,” Kelley said. “We're expecting to be more competitive this season.”
3. Sycamore: Although the Aviators lost six to graduation, coach Maxine Yates has a wealth of talent back.
Seniors Cassie Uhl, Kirsi Hakkinen, Stacey Liebman and McKenzie Miller form the team's nucleus.
“Our strength will be experienced players who have been on the team two or three years at the varsity level,” Yates said. “Our weakness will be doubles.”
4. Anderson: Senior Ashley Rothfuss, The Enquirer's player of the year in 1999, will lead a Redskin team that returns six letterwinners.
Coach Phil Sinkovich, who's Redskins have recorded 13 consecutive winning seasons, will also look to seniors Rachel Smith and Alicia Briscoe for leadership.
“We have a strong No.1 player in Ashley Rothfuss,” Sinkovich said. “There's also a good supporting cast with a lot of depth.”
5. Seven Hills: Five returning starters gives coach Tim Drew the foundation to build another solid team.
Sophomore Amelia Crace and junior Molly Berman will team with seniors Kelly Shiels and Kate Holonen in a quest to upset CHCA for the MVC championship.
The key for Seven Hills will be several younger players who must step up, especially at No.2 doubles.
“That's the big question,” Drew said. “It looks like Missy Liu (junior) Jenny Menzies (sophomore) and Caroline Decker (junior) will contest for the spots.”
6. Badin: Senior Nancy Wiegand, a two-year state qualifier (freshman and junior) and one of the best players in Cincinnati, will anchor a Ram team loaded with experience.
The lineup also includes sophomores Kate Welsh and Ashley Combs and juniors Meg Stephenson and Kristen Gorman. Wiegand's younger sister, Kylee, a 14-year old freshman, also will play varsity.
7. Indian Hill: If defending Division II state doubles champion Meredith Vincent decides to play this season, first-year coach Mike Teets will field a team capable of finishing high in the coaches' poll.
Without Vincent, Indian Hill will be competitive but lack a take-charge player that is often the difference in big matches.
Seniors Priya Cariappa, Leslie Hughes, Erin Korchmar and Whitney Roberts gives the Braves leadership with juniors Shyla Narasimhan and Sarah Wallace, sophomores Gowri Ramadas and Marla Gentner and freshman Kelly Fischer adding depth.
8. Lakota East: An up-and-coming program, the Thunderhawks' Lindsey Zoller at No.1 singles is the top returning player.
First-year coach Greg Knickel, formerly East's boys coach) will also rely on seniors Lauren Karas, Lindsay Veit and Kari Jones, along with juniors Robyn Adamson and Alice Change.
“We have a strong player at No.1 singles,” Knickel said. “We're inexperienced at second doubles but solid elsewhere.”
9. Lakota West: Four returning letterwinners, along with several promising newcomers, give the Firebirds potential.
Melissa McNutt, Marci Morgan, Ellen Lamas and Ashley Jones are the top players.
10. Cincinnati Country Day: Although the Indians lost five seniors to graduation and another who decided not to play this season, coach Lynne Schneebeck returns four proven players.
The leaders will be Alison Hontanosas, Jenna Tysoe, Ashley Baker and Neha Matta with freshman Sarah Tysoe, junior Amanda Stein and sophomore Annie Barrett expected to step in.
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