Depth renders Corona del Mar title worthy

Brian Ricker is glad to have back what he always had.

The Corona del Mar High girls’ tennis coach is eagerly anticipating a season with No. 1 singles player Jill Damion at full strength. Damion missed most of last season because of torn rotator cuff and was far from 100% in the Sea Kings’ loss to Peninsula High in the CIF Southern Section Division I semifinals.

Having played in six tournaments since May in singles competition, Damion is primed for the start of the season.

“She’s our top player,” said Ricker who is entering his third year. “She had to recover from that injury and it was a huge battle for her — bigger than she thought it would be. We’re very happy to have her back. She’s a good team leader.”

But with five seniors on the team, the talent goes far beyond Damion. Senior twins Hayley and Miranda Young return as the No. 1 doubles team.

Last season, the Youngs went 56-3 and advanced to the CIF doubles quarterfinals. The pair also earned Newport-Mesa Co-Player of the Year honors and are ranked No. 24 in the nation.

“We’re going to rely on them quite a bit,” Ricker said. “They are very unique in the way they play together. The Youngs were really the base of the team last year.”

Senior Michelle Atkins returns for her fourth varsity season. Atkins played singles last season, but could play some doubles this year.

“She’s another good leader,” Ricker said.

Senior Kelly McKitterick played No. 2 doubles last year, but her partner, Lindsay Norman, has graduated. Ricker does not know who he will pair McKitterick with, but she will play doubles.

“I’ll figure out where they’re going to be in the next couple of weeks,” Ricker said.

Corona del Mar also blends youth with experience, as the Sea Kings have three sophomores returning from last season’s team and one notable new addition.

The newcomer is Cierra Gaytan-Leach, who is ranked No. 11 in the nation in 14-and-under singles and won some tournaments in the 16 age division in singles and doubles over the summer. Gaytan-Leach was home schooled last year.

Flora Lee anchored the No. 3 singles position last season and will likely do the same this year. Lee won the Eighth annual Laguna Niguel Junior Tournament and advanced to the final of another tournament over the summer.

“It’s nice to see them play tournaments,” Ricker said. “They’re crazy about tennis. The whole team had a great offseason. We have so much depth with kids playing tournaments. They were hard at work while other kids were at the beach.”

Sophomores Lindsay Zotovich and Danielle Kaiden will likely team again at the No. 3 doubles position.

“They won three open tournaments over the summer,” Ricker said. “Another great offseason. We look to those two to have success. We have a good three to four years of success ahead of us.”

Another sophomore, Paige Polozois, will compete for a spot when she recovers from tendinitis.

Then there is sophomore Karen Ishii who went 31-1 on the junior varsity team last season.

“We’re going to have some very good players on the bench,” Ricker said.

And then there are two talented freshmen who will join the Sea Kings.

Ricker expects Hailey Hogan, ranked No. 18 in Southern California in 14 singles, and Melissa Matsuoka, ranked No. 16, to contribute.

“It’s a wonderful freshman class,” Ricker said. “You can’t ask for more than that. This year looks great and so do years to come.”

And when Ricker trims the team down to 12 players, the Sea Kings will be strong top to bottom.

“My 10, 11 and 12 players would easily be all-league on another team,” Ricker said.

The goals for the Sea Kings are to be No. 1 in three different categories — sportsmanship, in Orange County and in CIF Division I, in that order.

And Ricker does not expect defending CIF champion Laguna Beach to be an obstacle. Instead, he said he believes Peninsula, Dana Hills and Troy will offer the best competition.

Corona del Mar opens Thursday at home against Mater Dei.

THE SEA KINGS

Jill Damion Sr.

Hayley Young Sr.

Miranda Young Sr.

Cierra Gaytan-Leach So.

Michelle Atkins Sr.

Kelly McKitterick Sr.

Flora Lee So.

Lindsay Zotovich So.

Danielle Kaiden So.

Paige Polozois So.

Karen Ishii So.

Hailey Hogan Fr.

Melissa Matsuoka Fr.

Coach: Brian Ricker

(third year)