High hopes for CdM

With a deep and experienced squad, the Corona del Mar High girls’ tennis team expects to contend in CIF Southern Section Division 1 this year.

Few teams will have as good of a singles lineup as CdM, as senior Jasie Dunk and junior Danielle Willson both return. Dunk was the Pacific Coast League doubles champion last year with graduate Siena Sharf, while Willson was the runner-up in singles.

But it is the returning depth in doubles that also will really set the Sea Kings apart. Senior Camellia Edalat, who played at No. 1 doubles last year, is back along with returning starters Brooke Kenerson, Bella McKinney and Shaya Northrup. And the return of senior Kylie Tasu, who hasn’t played a match the last two seasons due to right arm injuries, will no doubt provide a boost.

“A lot of them played a good amount of tennis over the summer, USTA tournaments,” CdM Coach Jamie Gresh said. “They’re primed and ready to go. I really think we’re a little bit deeper than last year’s team, but every year’s a little bit different dynamically. It’s just putting the pieces and the parts together and finding the groove. But it’s a highly motivated team.”

CdM aims to defend its Pacific Coast League title, which it won last year to end rival University’s six-year streak. And the Sea Kings, who went 20-2 last year and advanced to the Division 1 semifinals, should again contend in the postseason, though Gresh said that Harvard-Westlake, defending champion Peninsula and Campbell Hall should all be tough.

Corona del Mar Girls’ Tennis

League: Pacific Coast

CIF Division: 1

Head Coach: Jamie Gresh (2nd year)

Coaching Staff: Nathaniel Gorham (varsity assistant and JV head coach).

2015 overall record: 20-2

2015 league record: 10-0 (champion)

2015 CIF results: Reached semifinals

Returning starters: Six

Returning with honors: Jasie Dunk (league doubles champion, Sr.); Danielle Willson (league singles finalist, Jr.).

Coach’s Take: “With Jasie being a senior and Danielle a junior, I feel like we’re returning a little bit of an older team. Everyone is one year better, and I’m excited for the season to come. We’ll see if we can get back to where we were last year, maybe even further. We made the semis last year, and I think this team is capable of makign the semis again, then going one round farther.”

One to Watch: Kylie Tasu, a senior who missed the last two seasons due to bicep and labrum injuries to her right arm, is healthy and should bolster the lineup. “She’s playing pain-free,” Gresh said. “I hit with her the other day, and she’s very good.”

Schedule

September

7 - Sage Hill

13 - at Los Alamitos

14 - JSerra

15 - Newport Harbor

20 - at Peninsula

21 - Mater Dei

22 - Woodbridge*

27 - at Beckman*

28 - San Clemente

29 - University*

October

4 - at Northwood*

5 - at Dana Hills

6 - at Irvine*

11 - at Woodbridge*

13 - Beckman*

18 - at University*

19 - at Mira Costa

20 - Northwood*

24 - Irvine*

26 - PCL Individuals, TBD

27 - PCL Individuals, TBD

*denotes league match

All nonleague matches 3 p.m., league matches 3:15 p.m.