There's no shortage of talent returning to the Newport Harbor High
girls tennis team, which took second place in the Sea View League
behind Woodbridge and reached the second round of the CIF Southern
Section Division I playoffs last year.
The Sailors boast six All-Sea View League returners who should
give the team a chance to compete with Woodbridge and Foothill for
the league championship.
Leading the way are all-league returning seniors Brittany
Sturgess, Megan McKay and Carly Adams. Juniors Sasha Dunlap and
Chrissy Schwartz, along with sophomore Alex McIntosh, also return
after all-league campaigns.
Nine players in all, including seniors Melissa Chinn and Brittany
Cluck, along with junior Joe Cosserly, return from last year's team.
The Sailors should get a boost from Nelly Redeza and Natalie
Small, two freshmen with a lot of potential.
Newport Harbor Coach Fletcher Olson said she doesn't have a set
starting lineup yet, but she has a lot of talent to choose from.
Last year's team was known for being full of life. It was an
energetic squad that cheered each other on during matches. Olson
expects the same kind of enthusiasm this year.
"Our returning players, especially our seniors, are a great group
of girls, they are all very team oriented," Olson said.
Olson, who is 137-35 in nine years as the head coach at Newport
Harbor, expects the Sailors to be in the hunt for the league
championship.
"Our goals are to play solid, work hard and hopefully do well in
league and CIF," she said. "Woodbridge and Foothill are tough, but I
think we can contend with them."
Can this team be better than last year's 13-8 squad?
"Definitely," Olson said. "They have a great deal of potential."
SAILORS ROSTER
Brittany Sturgess Sr.
Megan McKay Sr.
Carly Adams Sr.
Melissa Chinn Sr.
Brittany Cluck Sr.
Sasha Dunlap Jr.
Chrissy Schwartz Jr.
Alex McIntosh So.
Joe Cosserly Jr.
Nelly Redeza Fr.
Natalie Small Fr.
Coach: Fletcher Olson (10th year)
