Inexperienced Eagles face formidable foes

By Pete Borello, Town Crier Staff Writer

photos by Joe Hu/Town Crier Los Altos High freshman Jaimie Eng competes against Monta Vista Thursday. The Eagles fell 7-0.

Even though the future of the Los Altos High girls tennis program looks brighter than the present, coach Cuong Duong isn’t about to concede the 2006 season.

“We’ll be better next year,” he said. “But I’m not going to write off this season - it’s not fair to the seniors.”

With their top singles player sitting out the year and only two seniors on board, the Eagles lack the experience and top-notch talent required to contend in the formidable SCVAL De Anza Division. Duong realizes he will have to be patient with this group.

“I have to give them some time to play together,” the team’s 10th-year coach said. “I have to challenge them to work on their weaknesses and get better at their strengths. I want to see them get better each game.”

Off to a 1-4 start that includes an 0-3 record in the De Anza Division, it would seem there is ample room for improvement. While Duong said Los Altos has shown a competitive spirit, the team has been overmatched in division play. Opponents such as Monta Vista and Saratoga boast multiple players who compete beyond the high school season; the Eagles have one.

“They don’t play enough tennis year-round to compete in our league,” Duong said of his girls. “That’s a fact - I can’t change it.”

Only No. 2 singles player Jaimie Eng plays tournament tennis. Samantha Lam - the Eagles’ top singles player in 2005 - also is a year-round competitor, but she didn’t come out for the team this season. Duong said Lam, a quarterfinalist in the Central Coast Section individual championships last season, intends to return to the team as a senior in 2007.

“It’s a big loss,” the coach said. “With Sam, we could make the playoffs. She’s our No. 1 and wins 98 percent of her matches. We don’t have anyone to fill in that position.”

Ting-Ting Liu is trying her best to do so, according to Duong.

“She’s a competitor who fights for every point,” the coach said of the junior, who played No. 2 singles a year ago. “She has a good groundstroke, but she needs to develop her volley.”

Duong has also tried Eng at the top spot, though he’s not sure if it’s the best place for a freshman getting acclimated to varsity.

“She could play some 1, but I don’t want to throw her in the fire yet. You have to be selective and not ruin her confidence,” Duong said. “She has a bright future ahead of her. She’s very competitive and has a good groundstroke - a big forehand particularly - but needs to work on volleys.”

The No. 3 and 4 singles spots are occupied by juniors Samantha Tse and Beth Kay, who both played on the junior-varsity squad last year. Duong said they have potential and expects them to improve with more experience. Tse is “a good athlete with a strong forehand” who needs to become more consistent, Duong said, while Kay “has a good stroke.”

The coach believes Los Altos is stronger in doubles than singles, and the stats back that up. The Eagles have one victory in singles, courtesy of Eng, and seven wins in doubles.

Seniors Tessa Villasenor and Jennifer Yang comprise the team’s top tandem. Villasenor also played No. 1 doubles last year; Yang was at No. 2. They have won three of their five matches together.

“They’re doing a very good job,” Duong said. “They kind of complement each other: Jennifer has power off the ground; Tessa is good at the net and on volleys.”

The No. 2 team of Rebecca Kaufman and Lisa Kellman boasts the Eagles’ best record at 4-1. Kaufman and Kellman played No. 1 and 2 singles, respectively, on last year’s JV team.

“They complement each other, too,” Duong said. “Lisa is more aggressive and Rebecca is more consistent, and you need that in doubles. I’m happy with them.”

The third spot on the ladder belongs to the duo of Neha Shah and Nicole Dudley. Dudley is transitioning from No. 4 singles.

“I have to give them time to develop,” Duong said of the juniors, off to a 0-2 start. “They have a lot of potential, but they need to develop that winning attitude.”

As far as Los Altos’ chances of a winning season, Duong said his players are realistic.

“They know we’re not going to compete for league, but they’re enjoying themselves,” he said. “They’re a good group of girls.”

Los Altos hosts Fremont at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.