Plain Dealer high school sportswriter Tim Rogers takes a look at the upcoming girls tennis season.
View full sizeWestlake's Lauren Golick.Alex Bastock, Sr., Hudson: Had a fine regular season but finished fourth in the sectional which gave her a tough district draw. Has improved on all aspects of her game and is looking to reach Columbus.
Lydia Colvin, Sr., Orange: A two-time state qualifier in either doubles or singles, she has a great chance of advancing deep into the tournament. While the Division II singles competition is loaded statewise -- 14 of last year's 16 qualifiers are eligible to return this year -- Colvin can compete.
Allyson Doragi, Sr., Laurel: A two-time district qualifier and a state qualifier in 2008, she will probably play singles during the regular season before a decision is reached on her status for the postseason. Either way, she brings a wealth of experience.
Lauren Golick, So., Westlake: Nationally ranked, she has an opportunity to become a four-time state qualifier and a three-time Southwestern Conference champ. She was beaten in the first round in the state tournament last year but figures to advance much deeper this season.
Madison Hromada, Sr., Magnificat: A two-time district qualifier, she will be counted on to lead the team, both athletically and spiritually, from the No. 1 singles spot.
Taylor Johnson, Sr., Hawken: The daughter of a former world-ranked player, Johnson teamed with Surya Khadilkar to reach the Division II state tournament in doubles, where they lost to the eventual state champ. Athletic and powerful, she was a Plain Dealer All-Star and will probably alternate at first and second singles this season.
Surya Khadilkar, Jr., Hawken: After reaching the Division II state tournament with doubles partner Taylor Johnson and earning Plain Dealer All-Star honors, she grew four inches in the past year. Still, she only stands 5-4 but is regarded as a precision shot-maker.
Victoria Marchant, Sr., Kenston: Teamed with her younger sister, Mandy, to reach the Division I state doubles tournament. New coach Greg Aten said he was unsure if the Marchants will team up again or play singles.
Emily Mazzola, Jr., Chagrin Falls: She was a state qualifier last year in singles, a state runner-up with Anna Benson in doubles and a Plain Dealer All-Star in 2008. Expect nothing less this year.
Kelsey Wanhainen, Sr., Westlake: She is the reigning Southwestern Conference champ at second singles and teams with Lauren Golick to give the Lady Demons a nice 1-2 punch.
Notable teams
Chagrin Falls: The Lady Tigers have a lineup that can compete with anyone, led by state qualifiers Emily Mazzola, Anna Benson and Erica Leone. Senior Sarah Ross, sophomore Riley White and junior Madeline O'Neil are likely candidates to fill out the remaining spots.
Hawken: Junior Surya Khadilkar and senior Taylor Johnson advanced to the Division II state doubles and will probably alternate between first and second singles. Seniors Sydney Davis and Hannah Kerman and junior Jennifer Mazenec, a transfer from Hathaway Brown, will help.
Kenston: Led by the Marchant sisters, senior Victoria and sophomore Mandy, the Bombers are as deep as any team around. Junior Shea Marks, sister of state qualifier Nolan, is strong at third singles. Junior Keirsten Kure will team with Morgan Weemhoff at first doubles and freshman Miranda Kyle, senior Katie Marks (cousin of Shea and Nolan), Kathleen Swanson or Kendall Althans will make up the second doubles team.
Orange: New coach Julie Mitchell was greeted with a team full of experience, led by three-time state qualifier Lydia Colvin and fellow seniors Kathy Tokman and Carmen Gota, who may play singles or form a doubles team. Seniors Natalie Kaufman, Danni Popalsky, Jessica Grishkan, Allie Gregg and Grace Ubersax, twin sister of state qualifier Sam, will provide depth at doubles.
Westlake: More than 12 area coaches were unanimous in calling the Demons the best team around. Coach Ralph Dunbar is in his 15th season and has four nationally-ranked players on his squad, an oddity for a public school. The team, led by sophomore Lauren Golick and senior Kelsey Wanhainen, was 20-1 last year and has added Dunbar's freshman daughter, Julia, to an already solid lineup.