WHS girls' tennis team perfect vs. Agoura

NICE TRY-Agoura's Michelle Vincurek goes low to get to a ball during Tuesday's Charger loss at Westlake. AHS head coach Mark Dalli said it'll take time to rebuild Agoura's struggling program. Westlake High's girls' tennis team easily defeated Agoura Tuesday afternoon at home, winning all 18 of the day's matches.

The Warriors' No. 1 singles player, sophomore Rachel Bitter, was victorious during her first set against Agoura's Kristin McDonald. Afterwards, Bitter wasn't feeling well and was replaced by Chelsea Reynolds.

Reynolds subbed in and defeated Charger juniors Shelby Samovar and Devon Rouse.

"I was feeling really sick today," Bitter said. "I've been feeling sick this past week, actually. But I'll be playing tomorrow and the next day."

WHS head coach Connie Flanderka said Reynolds proved once again why she's one of the team's most versatile players.

"She's a 10th grader who's stepped up," Flanderka said. "I've seen a huge improvement from where she was last year to this year. It's nice to see because in the future she'll be able to step right into singles for us."

Westlake singles players Lauren Davies and Lauren Schwartz both swept all three of their sets. Between them- Davies a senior and Schwartz a sophomore-they lost only three points during the afternoon.

In doubles play, Westlake No. 1's Jessica Tack and Christie Baker, the No. 2 team of Hilary MacDonald and Daniela Koss, and the No. 3 squad of Christy Needels and Ashley Ghaderi were all victorious.

With the win, the Warriors' record improved to 8-5 overall and 7-2 in the Marmonte League. Agoura fell to 1-10 and 1-8 in league. Calabasas is currently leading the Marmonte League standings with an unblemished record.

Agoura head coach Mark Dalli said his program is in a rebuilding mode after having five head coaches in four seasons. While the past hasn't been kind to the Chargers, he said the team's future looks bright.

"The kids that are coming into the program are very serious about (tennis)," Dalli said.

"How do you rebuild? You get the kids motivated to be here," he said. "And if they're motivated to be here, success is a byproduct of hard work and learning good skills. That doesn't happen overnight. It takes time."

Charger No. 1 doubles player Kelsey Krigstein and her partner, Morgan Gould, both agreed that Agoura's players have to want to improve.

"We need to be more committed," Gould said.

For Westlake, second-place finishers in the Marmonte League last year, Flanderka said she expects the Warriors to finish strong in the second half of the regular season, much like they did a year ago.

"We tend to be a better team in the second half of league," Flanderka said.

"If the kids can see improvement and you can keep them enthusiastic and keep things really moving," she said, "then they can see the results and they're willing to work a little bit harder."