PREP ROUNDUP : Foothill Girls’ Tennis Team Takes a Step Toward Top 10

It shouldn’t be long before the Foothill High School girls’ tennis team makes an appearance in the Orange County top 10 poll.

The Knights (5-2) beat host Fountain Valley, 12-6, Friday for their third victory in two weeks over ranked county opponents. Before the nonleague match against the No. 8 Barons (3-3), Foothill had beaten No. 6 El Toro and No. 10 University.

Despite those victories and a No. 4 ranking in the Southern Section 3-A Division, the Knights aren’t ranked in the county. Foothill Coach Dennis Claus is puzzled by his team’s absence from the poll, but not overly concerned.

“We made it to the 3-A quarterfinals last year and only lost one player, so I thought we’d be ranked in the county coaches’ poll to start the season,” Claus said. “But, it’s early in the year, so I know it’s hard to figure out who belongs where. If we keep winning, we’ll get the recognition.”

Foothill got a three-set sweep in No. 1 singles from Amanda Parson, 6-3, 6-1, 6-0, and sweeps in No. 1 and No. 2 doubles. The No. 1 team of Andrea Claus and Mitzi Van Cleave won, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0, and the No. 2 duo of Jane Park and Erica Ferris swept, 6-1, 6-1, 6-3.

Parson, a nationally ranked 18s player among 18 year olds, is 21-0 this season.