Coach Failla sees competitive season ahead for girls tennis
“As usual, we have a fantastic group of student athletes and I believe we will be very competitive this season,” was Coach Doug Failla’s reply when asked how the 2009 girls tennis season will go.
Thirty–four girls tried out and are listed on the varsity and junior varsity teams. The varsity has plenty of talent and experience.
The seven seniors on the roster have earned a total of 13 varsity letters. Ashley Shields and Katie Hoffman are back for their fourth year on the varsity. Last season, Shields earned second team All Valley League honors in doubles play.
Rachel Williams and Sami Marsch will return for their third season of varsity play. Andrea Briseno, Jennica Castillo and Jordan McWhorter are back for their second year of varsity action.
Two juniors are listed on the squad. Rebeca Romero is back for her third year on the varsity and Laura Meng has made the roster for the first time.
Two sophomores, Rachel Vaca and Amy Jordan, made the varsity for the first time. Dayna Drake is the lone ninth-grader on the squad.
As usual, Failla has scheduled a tough nonleague schedule to get his team ready for the always tough Valley League.
The Lady Dawgs will open the season at Riviera Oaks on Sept. 2 against Mission Hills. They also play Fallbrook, Brawley and Rancho Buena vista in non-league action.
It should be noted that referring to the Lady Dawgs as student-athletes is no euphemism. The 2008 girls tennis team had over a 4.00 grade point average.
Go to www.ramonausd.net and then the Ramona High School Web site to get a schedule for tennis. It’s a first-class team that plays at a first-class facility, Riviera Oaks Resort and Racquet Club.