Girls tennis: Estancia building

Richard Dunn

COSTA MESA - Excitement fills the air around Estancia High’s tennis

courts these days.

Under first-year girls tennis coach Rachel de los Santos, the Eagles

are primed for preleague and Pacific Coast League competition, despite

only nine players -- barely enough to complete a lineup.

“They’ll all play in every match, as long as somebody doesn’t get

hurt,” said de los Santos, originally hired as Estancia’s junior varsity

coach, then quickly promoted three weeks ago when the varsity position

opened up.

For de los Santos, 24, it’s her first year coaching. But she’s a

full-time biology teacher on campus and appears to have the program

headed in the right direction with the assistance of JV Coach Julie

Fielder (Estancia circa ‘94).

“I’m very excited about it,” de los Santos said. “I think there were

more girls than ever out for tennis this year at Estancia. It was

exciting ... we’re getting the team situated, and I think it’s going to

be fun.”

Topping the charts for Estancia this season will be junior Kelly

Trettin and senior Karleen Curran, the team’s only returning players.

They are expected to play first and second singles.

“They’re our top two players,” de los Santos said. “Everybody else is

pretty competitive. I couldn’t say for sure who would be next in line.”

Seniors Danielle Moran, Hani Charezaie, Amy Ippolito and Christy

Brooks, and sophomores Stacie Nellor, Huong Thai and Farrell Roth round

out de los Santos’ inaugural roster. Ippolito and Brooks are the

co-captains.

“It’s definitely a building year,” de los Santos said.

Estancia roster

Kelly Trettin, Jr.

Karleen Curran, Sr.

Stacie Nellor, So.

Danielle Moran, Sr.

Hani Charezaie, Sr.

Amy Ippolito, Sr. captain

Christy Brooks, Sr. captain

Huong Thai, So.

Farrell Roth, So.