Great expectations for CHS girls’ tennis

A PERFECT SQUARE—The returning CIF Div. I champion Calabasas Coyotes defeated the Musketeers of Moorpark, 18-0, in the schools’ first league match of the season Tuesday afternoon at Moorpark. Clockwise from upper left: Doubles team of Jennifer Bernstein and Eileen Chang work both sides of the court to perfection while Erin Wiesener crushes a big serve. Below, Jillian Schnitman fully extends to send back an overhand winner and Brittney Harper eyes a return shot down the line. Royal is returning a CIF state championship winning boys’ cross country team. Oaks Christian has had enough talent on the football field to capture two consecutive Div. XI titles. And Agoura continues to develop high-quality water polo teams and players on a yearly basis.

But of all the great high school sports teams in the Conejo Valley, and there are quite a few, perhaps no team has been as dominant in their respective sport over the past few years as the Calabasas girls’ tennis squad.

Since 2002 the Coyotes have gone undefeated in Marmonte League play and have claimed two CIF-Southern Section championships.

This year Calabasas returns eight of 10 starters from a 2004 group that went 21-0 overall en route to the Div. I title.

The team’s biggest loss personnel wise is Amanda Fink, who is now playing at USC, yet the cupboard is far from bare.

The returning players—especially the seniors—say they are proud of the team’s accomplishments over the past several seasons, but are also quick to point out that it would do the current crop of players no good to rest on the school’s prior glory.

That’s because the Coyotes have no plans to end their dominating ways any time soon.

“Winning CIF is a very big accomplishment,” senior Helen Kolpakov said. “I think you start realizing it once you get into your junior and senior years, because as a younger player maybe you don’t realize it as much. But as a senior it would be great, a big honor, to finish high school with another CIF championship.”

Senior Jennifer Bernstein said being a part of such a dominant team for the past four years has been a “crazy” experience, although the pressure to not only succeed but to play exceptional tennis is always present.

“You’re just on such a high when you are playing,” Bernstein said. “It’s a lot of fun but there are also a lot of expectations to live up to. Everyone is already asking us if we are going to get another ring. But it’s a lot of fun.”

Head coach Kim Kinberg said winning was nice, but repeating last season’s success won’t be easy. After all, she’s just barely into her second season at the helm and still hasn’t had to succumb to the bitter taste of defeat even once.

“I told the girls that it’ll be hard (to repeat) because we have a lot more pressure on us,” said Kinberg, who also led the Calabasas boys’ tennis team to a postseason appearance a year ago.

“Everyone else is the underdog playing us and we’re trying to keep that status on top. That adds to the nerves when you’re out there playing,” she said.

Of course, the Coyote roster, which is stocked with notable returnees in singles and doubles play, will help calm the coach’s nerves.

In addition to Kolpakov and Bernstein, senior Kristen McVitty returns and poised to make a run at back-to-back Marmonte singles titles.

“She puts in hours and hours of training,” Kinberg said of McVitty. “She’s a very mature individual, and tennis players. . . .you have to be an intellectual out there with the strategy you’re using against the player on the other side. She does that well and is a bright young lady.”

Kinberg said junior Jillian Schnitman and sophomore Brittney Harper have vastly improved over the summer after putting in strong performances last season, and could have breakout years in 2005.

Harper’s twin sister, Tiffany, also plays on the squad and is expected to partner up with Kolpakov as the Coyotes’ No. 1 doubles team.

Senior Jana Lipson and juniors Erin Wiesener and Eileen Chang, along with her sister, sophomore Valerie Chang, will all be counted on to help lead Calabasas to its third title in four years and perhaps dynasty status amongst local athletic programs.

“We’ve always played well because we’ve been able to work together better than some of the other teams,” Brittney Harper said. “Hopefully that will continue and lead to more success.”

Freshmen Afton Ashforth and Sabrina Man-Son-Hing aren’t expected to see significant playing time, although Kinberg said she’d love to get the two youngsters into a few matches as the year progresses.

“They’re frustrated that they haven’t been able to play yet,” Kinberg said. “But I’ll be able to rotate them into some of our league matches to get them some experience.”

Thousand Oaks and Westlake may pose the greatest threat to Calabasas as far as league play goes, but until someone in the Marmonte can actually hang a loss on the Coyotes, every other team in the Marmonte is simply playing for second place.

Outside of the league, Peninsula—currently the top-ranked team in Div I even though the No. 2 ranked Coyotes beat them in the CIF final last season—appears to be Calabasas’ greatest threat to repeat as champions. Corona Del Mar (No. 3), Dana Hills (No. 4) and Harvard Westlake (No. 5) will all likely provide stiff competition in the search for the crown as the top tennis team in Div. I.

Kinberg said her team has the talent and mental toughness to win another CIF ring. Now it’s just a matter of execution and working together on the court to get the job done.

“The seniors on the team have been in the playoffs and have won titles together, so they know how to play those tough matches,” Kinberg said.

“And we’re fortunate that the younger girls we have play in tournaments, so they’re tournament tough. The girls that have played in tournaments are able to handle the pressure better once they go up against other schools. That can make the difference right there,” the coach said.