Things are looking up for Gilroy girls’ tennis.
The Mustangs may not be in the class of Salinas or Notre Dame
yet, but they have made giant strides.
By Marc David Sports Editor
Gilroy – Things are looking up for Gilroy girls’ tennis.
The Mustangs may not be in the class of Salinas or Notre Dame yet, but they have made giant strides.
“It gives them something to strive for,” Barbaglia said of his team, which dropped its TCAL opener Tuesday to host Salinas, 7-0. “Their opponents become their teachers. They can see how much aggressiveness it takes, the dedication it takes to be the best.”
GHS is much closer to that than last year when it struggled through a winless season.
It starts with numbers and attitude. Twenty-two girls reported out this season, compared to 14 last year. While second-year coach Randy Barbaglia considered last year a rebuilding season, he doesn’t look at this year’s team this way, despite not having a single senior. In fact, 17 of the 22 girls are either sophomores or freshmen.
Twelve are good enough to comprise the varsity, and all figure to see action.
It starts with junior Amy Huang, who is beginning her second year as the No. 1 singles player.
“She has a strong serve and is very tenacious,” Barbaglia said.
Sophomore Emily Castro and juniors Cherilyn Christian and Goris Kwong are No. 2-4 singles players.
Sophomores Holly Hunter and Karissa Tellez are the No. 1 doubles team. Freshman Alissa Castro and Annilise Zelina are at No. 2 doubles. Sophomore Natalie Toews and junior Rina Alvarado began as the No. 3 doubles team, but they are being pressed by the duo of sophomore Kim Johnson and freshman Sidney Ebert.
In fact, Barbaglia believes Johnson has such a good upside that he can see her competing for one of the top singles spots next year.
“I feel great about this team,” Barbaglia said. “We have some real good athletes. The Castros, for example, are softball players. We have 12 girls who can play.”
He got a good glimpse of the girls in action during last week’s TCAL Singles and Doubles Jamborees at North Salinas.
“We played all the schools in one 10-game match,” Barbaglia said. “The girls got a little taste of (competition).
“By the end of the season we should be pretty good. The depth we have creates a stronger team for the end of this season and next year.”
GHS was supposed to have its home opener Thursday with Alisal, but the match will be rescheduled. Thus, the first home match now is Sept. 21 against Everett Alvarez.
Tennis Schedule
(all matches 3:30 p.m.)
September
15, at Aptos; 19, at San Benito; 21, Everett Alvarez; 27, at Notre Dame.
October
3, North Salinas; 5, Salinas; 10; at Alisal; 12, San Benito; 17, at Everett Alvarez; 24, Notre Dame; 26, at North Salinas. Oct. 31 (10 a.m.) -Nov. 1, TCAL Finals at North Salinas (TBA).
