Flip a coin, draw straws or pick a number between one and 50. Any of these methods could be used to determine which girls tennis team deserves the No.1 ranking in The Cincinnati Enquirer'spreseason poll.

        In one of the closest polls in memory, defending poll champion Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy edged Sycamore and Ursuline for the top spot.

        “I agree it's wide open,” CHCA coach Lynn McNally said. “I have four starting people back and Sycamore and Ursuline have at least three.”

        The following is a look at the top teams for the 2001 season.

        1. Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy: Three-time Division II state singles champion Audra Falk has graduated. So it's time for Jennifer Dektas, Kelly Krumrie, Shaden Dowitt and Alex Gross to take over.

        A senior with the potential to win the Division II state singles championship, Dektas is battling Gross for the No.1 singles spot.

        2. Sycamore: Three of the Aviators' top four returnees are underclassmen. Stacey Grimm (17-7) is the only senior.

        Coach Maxine Hoyles-Yates also will rely on Tracy Hodgsen (17-3), Stephanie Polites (18-7) and Kim Thompson (15-2), with several untested players holding the key to success.

        3. Ursuline: The Lions will be strong at the three singles positions with state placer (fourth in doubles) Andye Kelly, Catherine Rentschler and Katherine Greiwe filling the spots.

        Four untested seniors will make up the doubles teams that will determine Ursuline's success: Jenna Davis, Anne Dolfi, Kathy Holman and Christine Reeve.

        4. Lakota West: This could be the breakout season for the Firebirds.

        They finished second behind Sycamore for three consecutive seasons in the Greater Miami Conference and were ranked No.5 in last year's final poll. But coach Cori Bletz appears to have the talent to clear both hurdles.

        Ashley Jones, the No.2 singles player with a 12-3 record, will take over No.1 singles with undefeated Melissa McNutt (14-0) moving up to No.2 singles.

        5. Anderson: Leadership and depth will be the strengths of an experienced Redskins team that will feature eight seniors.

        First-year coach Jon DeCurtins will build the team around Jill Adamson, Christina Leavy and sophomore standout Emily Okerson.

        6. Indian Hill: A young team in 2000 that won the Cincinnati Hills League championship, the Braves will be more experienced and physically fit due to a summer conditioning program.

        Veterans Kelly Fischer, Shyla Narasimhan and Amy Korchmar will be joined by Gowri Ramadas, Marla Gentner, Sarah Wallace and freshmen Lauren Copeland, Lizzy Gentner and Silpa Yalamanchili.

        7. Seven Hills: The Stingers will field an experienced squad capable of challenging CHCA for the No.1 spot.

        Four-year starter Amelia Crace, a state qualifier as a freshman and sophomore, performed well in national tournaments this summer.

        8. Cincinnati Country Day: The Tysoe sisters, Jenna and Sarah, are back, along with Amanda Stein, giving the Indians a solid corps of singles players.

        Coach Lynn Schneebeck's team is also experienced at doubles and will have the capability to win every match.

        9. Princeton: Based on the return of three starters and the addition of freshman sensation Kelly Six, the Vikings could be the poll's most underrated team.

        The Vikings' veterans are Kelly Regenold, Ashley Doyle and Jaqueta Alexander with Sarah Worachek, Sarah Moravec and Kara Kuresman assuming the doubles positions.,

        10 (tie). Turpin: A young team that will rely on freshman Maureen Geraci at No.1 singles, the Spartans should improve as the season progresses.

        Lindsay Miller, the only senior, has wrapped up the starting No.2 singles position with the only other veteran, Juli Lombardo, playing No.3 singles or No.1 doubles.

        10 (tie). Middletown: Though the Middies have no seniors, first-year coach Jim Veith is optimistic about the return of three veterans.

        Jami Gomia (14-4), Katie Jacobs (25-3) and Kristen Smith (11-7 doubles) will play singles. Doubles is wide open.

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