The girls’ tennis season is beginning, and schools across the city are poised for an intense and exciting year in what is bound to be another competitive Moore League season.
Much of Long Beach’s tennis world will have its eyes on CAMS as it comes off back-to-back CIF-SS championships and a second place finish in league play last season.
Coach Attila Lassu recognizes the program’s success will put a target on its back but has encouraged his players to maintain focus and stay grounded. He hopes the recent accolades empower his players to train diligently, refine their skills, develop leadership traits and keep pushing each other to improve.
“We’re not just defending titles,” Lassu said. “We’re aiming to raise the standard and create a lasting legacy.”
CAMS returns a cohort of juniors as its single starters. Mandy Oliveros will lead the pack, fresh off back-to-back Moore League singles championships. Ranked Top 25 among California’s youth tennis athletes, Oliveros enters as one of the most dominant players in the city and hopes to replicate that prowess this year.
CAMS also fields Saya Nagae and Sara Rodriguez, both of whom garnered all-league honors in singles and made the Moore League doubles finals as a pairing last year.
Lassu expects all three girls to set the tone for the rest of the team, both on and off the court.
“Their individual performances will definitely play a big role in our success,” Lassu said. “But what excites me most is how they’ll step into leadership roles and push the entire team forward.”
Lassu also touts the arrival of freshman Miki Sakai, who enters high school with tournament experience. He believes Sakai will bring extra confidence and a competitive edge to matches.
Wilson is similarly hoping to build on last season’s momentum after placing first in Moore League last season as a team. This year, the defending champs will be guided by a new coach, with former Saint Joseph High School coach and current Wilson English teacher Samantha Reams taking the reins.
“My goals are to have my players develop into strong players both physically and mentally,” Reams said. “Tennis is a lifelong sport, and I hope these young women continue to enjoy the game and see it as something they can continue outside of high school.”
The Bruins’ lineup consists of senior Penelope “Pep” Hall in the top singles spot. Juniors Camila Lapeyre and Chelsea Baresh are trying their hands in singles as well, while junior Penelope “PT” Tellez shifts to the singles court after a strong past year in doubles. Incoming freshman Aneska Vilchez also enters the group as a “phenomenal singles player” according to Reams.
On the doubles side, senior Annie McIntrye leads the group, while freshman Sienna Ruiz joins it, labeled by Reams as a “fierce doubles opponent.”
Millikan’s team will feature plenty of new faces this year after 17 seniors graduated this past spring. But for head coach Spencer Pozgay, the mission remains the same: claiming that Moore League title.
“Moore League was so competitive last season.” Pozgay said. “We had so many close matches and great matches against the other schools in our league. However, I do know I have expectations of my specific players to go out there and compete and do everything they can to get as many wins as we can.”
The team welcomes multiple varsity newcomers – both incoming freshman and JV players from last season – to fill in the gaps left by graduates. But they will also lean on the leadership from Millikan’s returners. These include junior Londyn Tlyer and sophomore Leia Gray, the Rams’ top singles players.
Despite undergoing much turnover, the doubles lineup will remain headlined by juniors Camila Fratovich and Caitlin Ujiie. Pozgay dubs them as the veterans of the team and believes their varsity experience helps them not just in gameplay, but also with guiding the younger players.
Long Beach Poly deploys an influx of new talent as it creates a strong squad with great chemistry. Spearheading that effort are senior captains Elisa Pel and Madelyn Lim.
“They have set the tone this summer by fostering a positive and supportive environment, and their leadership has helped strengthen the team’s bond,” said head coach Mey Phy. “Our players are more connected with one another and are looking forward to this season.”
The Jackrabbits’ familiar faces include junior Kara Teter and sophomore Naomi Lakkis on the singles side. Filling the doubles lineup spots are senior Natalie Irwin, junior Chelsea Ramezani and sophomore Justina Phy, the latter two garnering all-league honors last season as a doubles tandem. Fellow sophomores Alia Tran and Megan Lee round out the doubles squad. Phy also noted that freshman Remi Underwood has made a strong first impression this year.
