A familiar tennis Terror

As Palmer senior Veronika Wojakowska looks to return to the state semifinals in Class 5A No. 1 singles, she will face competition from a familiar source. �This year my sister (Adriana) will also be on the team, and I think that will definitely make a difference,� she said. �She�s got a lot of experience and will bring a competitive edge to our singles play. I�m looking forward to seeing what she can do, and what she can push us to do as a team.� Terrors coach Holly Strack expects freshman Adriana Wojakowska to compete at No. 2 singles. �From what we�ve seen so far, Adriana looks just as promising as Veronika was when she was a freshman,� Strack said. �We�re just really excited to have a solid singles roster this season and see where we can go.� Returning letter-winner Kelly Anderson will play No. 3 singles, while Strack will look to underclassmen in doubles. Veronika Wojakowska, who won the 5A state title as a sophomore, is preparing for the competition she will face at the state level. �Sometimes it�s tough to prepare for the type of play you know you will see from teams like Ponderosa, Poudre and Cherry Creek,� she said. �But I�ve really been focusing on my backhand, which is my strongest stroke, and doing a lot of fitness work. I�m excited to see what I can do.� The Terrors will certainly face competition from 5A area rivals Pine Creek, Lewis-Palmer and Air Academy. As defending regional champions, the Eagles will depend on their strong corps of returning players as they hope to at least repeat last season�s second-place state finish. Junior Ryann Warner placed third in the No. 2 singles state competition last year and likely will move to the No. 1 singles slot this season. Lewis-Palmer�s Deanna Thirkell placed first in No. 1 singles at regionals and will lead an experienced Rangers team that returns seven state qualifiers. After placing ninth at state last year, the Kadets return all 11 players. Relying on their depth and experience, Air Academy will certainly be a contender again this season. Class 4A Four letter-winners, including junior Clark Tatje, return to lead a Fountain Valley team that includes several improving underclassmen. �Clark is all set to have a great season and qualify for state for the third year,� coach Jake Emery said. �We�re a little bit young, but we have a lot of leadership in our returning singles players.� Junior Debbie Chen will play No. 2 singles, while several players with some varsity experience battle for the No. 3 slot. Perennial 4A power Cheyenne Mountain will look to its two returning members from last year�s state title team for leadership. Kristina Barber and Meha Semwal won the state No. 1 doubles title last spring. They move into singles play this season. Considering how well the Indians� junior varsity does against 4A varsities, there shouldn�t be much of a drop-off for the most consistent program in the area. TEAM PROFILES CLASS 5A Air Academy Ten seniors, including Kenzi Knop, Sindya Shoptaugh and Stephanie Todd, return to lead an experienced squad that will also include juniors Sue Iwata, Claire Myers and Valerie Bordelon. Coronado Six varsity returners are bolstered by freshman No. 1 singles player Emily Lawrence and freshman No. 2 singles player Morgan DeWitt. Last year�s No. 1 Amanda DeWitt will play No. 3 singles. Doherty Despite losing seven seniors to graduation, the Spartans hope to improve after many girls began playing year-round. Sophomore Lauren Ford and seniors Ashton Garcia and Liz Creuws should top the singles ladder. Lewis-Palmer The Rangers return seven state qualifiers, including senior No. 1 singles player Deanna Thirkell. Fellow seniors Samantha Hess and Niki Taylor will be joined by sophomore Kameo Kardel as Lewis-Palmer looks to repeat last year�s sweep at regionals. Mitchell Returning seniors Alicia Adkins, Cindy Boughton and Claire Tucker are joined by seniors Esther Mennen and Valerie Steinacker and several emerging sophomores. Palmer Senior Veronika Wojakowska looks to return to the state semifinals. Wojakowska will be joined by five other returning letter-winners and her sister, freshman Adriana. Pine Creek Last season�s state runner-up will look to eight returning letter-winners, including junior Ryann Warner who placed third at state in No. 2 singles. Seniors Erica Madden and Christine Pack placed fourth in No. 2 doubles in the state and will return to lead a strong doubles lineup. Rampart No report. Sand Creek Samantha Edsall, Rachel Edsall, Ozma Farooq, Cindy Aragon and Bailey Doyle return to lead promising underclassmen Laura Steeby, Joy Kasparek and Michelle Muldoon. Wasson The Thunderbirds will depend on veterans Jesa Buscarini, Nadia Lulack and Rachel Menard. Freshman Rachel McLaughlin should add depth. CLASS 4A Ca�on City Senior Kelsey Lungo will move to the No. 1 singles spot but will face challenges from juniors Danika Bradbury, Kacy Ulam, Abbie Cornella and foreign exchange student Lena Froberg of Germany. Colorado Springs School Junior Laura Johnson will return to lead seven of last year�s letterwinners. Johnson will be joined by No. 2 singles player Marie Dahlberg. Cheyenne Mountain Last year�s regional and state champions will need to reload after losing nine of last year�s 11 team members. Returners Kristina Barber and Meha Semwal won the No. 1 doubles competition at state last year and will move into the singles ranks. Colorado Springs Christian School Returner Noelle Moutrie will move up in the singles ranks, while freshman Kira Woods is poised to make an impact. Last year�s No. 1 doubles pairing of Sarah Greensides and Alex Dunn will vie for singles spots. Fountain-Fort Carson Four returning players will look to rebuild after losing six players to graduation. Fountain Valley Clark Tatje will be joined by Debbie Chen, senior Iona Musgung and newcomer Cassie Eppler. Harrison The Panthers will depend on returners Chantel Vollen, Caitlyn Ortega, Ashley Arellano and Johleen Visaya. Liberty Sand Creek transfer Riley Swanson will play No. 1 singles after sitting the first five matches due to eligibility requirements. Angelina Dellacroce and Jordan McKinney will return to play No. 2 and No. 3 singles, while Beth Graham, Winni Tavenner and Brandi Gaherty will fill the top doubles slots. Mesa Ridge Former No. 1 doubles players Joy Whittemore and Jenna Lanphier will contend for the top singles spots, while Ayla McCants and Jessa Trefethen will battle for No. 3. The Grizzlies will depend on underclassmen in doubles. Sierra Seven seniors return to a team that will depend on the experience of Marisol Munoz, Kelsey Reese, Leila Julesna and Toni Hooks. St. Mary�s Seniors Katelyn Scruggs and Molly Gwaltney return while sophomores Chrissy Tickel and Monte Dugas, freshmen Nikki Calandrella and Hillary Kuklenski will make an impact. Widefield Valerie Wierzenski, Britney Titus, Angelite Lovato, Shauna Spadaro and Jordan Robinson return.