Sailors seek extended CIF run

The Newport Harbor High girls’ tennis team learned in difficult fashion last year that what happens in the regular season stays in the regular season.

In 2005, the Sailors went 10-0 in the Sea View League to capture their third consecutive league title. But the celebration did not last long as Newport Harbor was bounced from the CIF Southern Section Division I playoffs in the first round.

With four returning players, the Sailors are focused on winning in the postseason this year.

Assistant coach Brooke Taylor played tennis for the Sailors, graduating in 1998. As a player, she experienced a defeat in the first round of the playoffs.

“I think they are more hungry to go further,” Taylor said. “They’ll be ready to play. We’re big on how you respond to adversity.”

The Sailors lost Megan McKay, who was 18-0 in Sea View League matches last season, Jill Casserly and Carly Adams, but retain a solid core.

Seniors Sasha Dunlap and Chrissy Schwartz returned after going 22-2 as a doubles team in league matches last season while advancing to the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section tournament.

As a team, Dunlap and Schwartz finished as the league runner-up and swept their three sets in Newport Harbor’s playoff loss.

Junior Alex McIntosh, who teamed with McKay to sweep all three sets in the first-round loss, also returns and will once again play both singles and doubles.

“She’s working really hard on her game,” said Fletcher Olson, who is in her 14th year as head coach of the Sailors and her 20th season with the program.

Sophomore Natalie Small returns for her second varsity campaign after filling the No. 3 singles role as a freshman.

Sophomore Ariana Cernius and juniors Alee Shea and Emily Gelbaum also figure to contribute.

“I feel like we have lot of girls who have been on the team before and are excited to prove themselves on the varsity level,” Taylor said. “We’ve got a lot of talent.”

Other potential varsity players include Kristina Heimstaedt, Kristen Kahn, Christina Shaw, Avalon Sigalos, Brittany Sowers and Lexy Zarrilli.

“There has been a good turnout,” Taylor said. “It shows the dedication to the program Fletcher has established. Everyone has worked extremely hard.”

Just as in previous years, players can expect to see a rotation between singles and doubles. There also should be liberal substitutions.

“It depends on who we are playing and where they feel confident,” Taylor said. “If they aren’t confident in singles, we’ll move them to doubles. Mental toughness comes from experience and facing adversity.”

A move to the Sunset League will also present new challenges for the Sailors.

“We know to expect tough competition,” Taylor said. “It’s going to take hard work, determination and the girls coming together as a team not individuals.”

The Sailors opened the season 3-0, with victories over Sunny Hills, former Sea View rival Foothill and Northwood.

THE SAILORS

Sasha Dunlap Sr.

Chrissy Schwartz Sr.

Alex McIntosh Jr.

Natalie Small So.

Ariana Cernius So.

Alee Shea Jr.

Emily Gelbaum Jr.

Kristina Heimstaedt Jr.

Kristen Kahn Jr.

Christina Shaw Sr.

Avalon Sigalos Jr.

Brittany Sowers Jr.

Lexy Zarrilli N/A

Coach: Fletcher Olson

(14th season)