Sports
GIRLS’ TENNIS SEASON PREVIEW:Teams ripe with returnees
Burroughs looks to get back to the CIF playoffs; Burbank has share of talent and a new coach.
By Jeff Tully
BURBANK — A former football coach, Loi Phan takes a no-nonsense approach to running a program.
Taking over the Burbank High girls’ tennis team from Paul McNiff this season, Phan realizes that his style might not appeal to everyone. However, he points out that all of his decisions are for the good of the team, or its athletes.
Recently, one of his decisions might not have pleased a few players.
“There were a couple of girls, seniors who have been with the program for three years, that I had cut because there were other players who were better,” Phan said.
“I explained to the girls that their job is to compete for a spot on this team and my job is to put together the best team possible. I have to put the best players that I have on the court.”
At Burroughs, Coach Roy Bernhardt didn’t have to make any such decisions. The Indians return all but one of their players from a year ago, and most of the team’s lineup is pretty much set.
“Really, the only girl we lost from last year was Sara Aguilar, who graduated,” said Bernhardt of the former singles player. “Other than that, the whole team is back.
“I think we have some good players, and they are all good girls.”
With the season set to start in less than two weeks, here is how the teams are shaping up:
Last season under Bernhardt, the Indians (7-8) finished fourth in their first season in the Pacific League. The team earned the final league postseason spot and was defeated in a CIF Southern Section Division II wild-card match against Viewpoint, 14-4.
Burroughs also continued its dominance against cross-town rival Burbank, earning two 13-5 league wins. The Indians have captured four straight against the Bulldogs, sweeping the past two seasons.
“I’m hoping that we’ve improved from last year,” Bernhardt said. “I would like for us to be able to get back to the playoffs.”
Burroughs has made two straight trips to the postseason, finishing second in the Foothill League in 2005.
Returning to head the team is four-year standout Melanie Irinco, a senior. The No. 1 singles player comes from a talented tennis family, as her older sister, Christina, helped the Indians win league titles in the 1990s and her other sister, Veronica, was a standout at Burbank.
“She has been a leader for us all of her years,” Bernhardt said of Irinco. “But she isn’t one of those leaders who goes out there and screams at other players.
“She is a really good person and it’s been great having her around the past few years
She has been our team MVP the last three years.”
While Irinco leads the singles group, Burroughs is graced with a fine collection of returning doubles players. Seniors Nicole Carothers and Jenny Dao will be joined by juniors Scout Hammond and Elizabeth Gonzalez, as well as sophomores Kendal Capshaw and Jennifer Auproux.”
In league competition, Bernhardt said he expects Arcadia and Crescenta Valley to have solid teams.
Phan said he has a nice mix of returning players and athletes who have moved up from the junior varsity.
“I was the JV coach last year, so I’ve worked with some of these girls before,” he said. “They know what to expect from me.
“I’ve also worked with the girls during the summer and I think we’re going to be pretty good.”
Burbank (3-9) will likely rely on No. 1 singles Anastasia Altounian, a senior. Phan said he has been working with the player during the offseason to improve her footwork.
The team also has its No. 2 singles back in senior Mindy Ou, and a promising newcomer in freshman Tatevik Hartutyunyan.
“With our No. 1 and No. 2 singles back, and the addition of Tatevik, we should have a very good singles group,” said Phan, whose JV team lost only to Arcadia and Crescenta Valley in league last season.
Senior Sandra Dekic should head the doubles group.
“We have a group of other girls who will be working for those doubles spots,” Phan said.
Like Bernhardt, Phan said he expects the Falcons and Apaches to be tough. However, he feels his squad could have enough to compete for a playoff spot.
“Our goal is to make it to the playoffs,” he said. “Hopefully, we will be able to do that.”
Taking over the Burbank High girls’ tennis team from Paul McNiff this season, Phan realizes that his style might not appeal to everyone. However, he points out that all of his decisions are for the good of the team, or its athletes.
Recently, one of his decisions might not have pleased a few players.
“There were a couple of girls, seniors who have been with the program for three years, that I had cut because there were other players who were better,” Phan said.
“I explained to the girls that their job is to compete for a spot on this team and my job is to put together the best team possible. I have to put the best players that I have on the court.”
At Burroughs, Coach Roy Bernhardt didn’t have to make any such decisions. The Indians return all but one of their players from a year ago, and most of the team’s lineup is pretty much set.
“Really, the only girl we lost from last year was Sara Aguilar, who graduated,” said Bernhardt of the former singles player. “Other than that, the whole team is back.
“I think we have some good players, and they are all good girls.”
With the season set to start in less than two weeks, here is how the teams are shaping up:
Last season under Bernhardt, the Indians (7-8) finished fourth in their first season in the Pacific League. The team earned the final league postseason spot and was defeated in a CIF Southern Section Division II wild-card match against Viewpoint, 14-4.
Burroughs also continued its dominance against cross-town rival Burbank, earning two 13-5 league wins. The Indians have captured four straight against the Bulldogs, sweeping the past two seasons.
“I’m hoping that we’ve improved from last year,” Bernhardt said. “I would like for us to be able to get back to the playoffs.”
Burroughs has made two straight trips to the postseason, finishing second in the Foothill League in 2005.
Returning to head the team is four-year standout Melanie Irinco, a senior. The No. 1 singles player comes from a talented tennis family, as her older sister, Christina, helped the Indians win league titles in the 1990s and her other sister, Veronica, was a standout at Burbank.
“She has been a leader for us all of her years,” Bernhardt said of Irinco. “But she isn’t one of those leaders who goes out there and screams at other players.
“She is a really good person and it’s been great having her around the past few years
She has been our team MVP the last three years.”
While Irinco leads the singles group, Burroughs is graced with a fine collection of returning doubles players. Seniors Nicole Carothers and Jenny Dao will be joined by juniors Scout Hammond and Elizabeth Gonzalez, as well as sophomores Kendal Capshaw and Jennifer Auproux.”
In league competition, Bernhardt said he expects Arcadia and Crescenta Valley to have solid teams.
Phan said he has a nice mix of returning players and athletes who have moved up from the junior varsity.
“I was the JV coach last year, so I’ve worked with some of these girls before,” he said. “They know what to expect from me.
“I’ve also worked with the girls during the summer and I think we’re going to be pretty good.”
Burbank (3-9) will likely rely on No. 1 singles Anastasia Altounian, a senior. Phan said he has been working with the player during the offseason to improve her footwork.
The team also has its No. 2 singles back in senior Mindy Ou, and a promising newcomer in freshman Tatevik Hartutyunyan.
“With our No. 1 and No. 2 singles back, and the addition of Tatevik, we should have a very good singles group,” said Phan, whose JV team lost only to Arcadia and Crescenta Valley in league last season.
Senior Sandra Dekic should head the doubles group.
“We have a group of other girls who will be working for those doubles spots,” Phan said.
Like Bernhardt, Phan said he expects the Falcons and Apaches to be tough. However, he feels his squad could have enough to compete for a playoff spot.
“Our goal is to make it to the playoffs,” he said. “Hopefully, we will be able to do that.”
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