Coyotes claim another title

Calabasas High's girls' tennis players have done many things on the court this year. Losing is not one of them.

According to Coyote head coach Kim Kinberg, the 2006 team at Calabasas will be remembered for how much depth it had.

CHS will also be known as a team that did not lose a game in the Marmonte League for the fifth straight season.

"I'm really proud that we have not lost a match in the Marmonte League while I've been here," senior Jillian Schnitman said. "There aren't too many schools that go undefeated in our league, let alone other leagues.

"We are not expected to lose a game, but it's not like we sit around and do nothing all week," she said. "We work hard in practice and it shows on the court."

Schnitman has been on the varsity team since her freshman year, and, like fellow seniors Erin Wiesner and Eileene Chang, has never lost a match to a team in the Marmonte League.

According to Schnitman, the streak is something the team rarely discusses.

"We don't think about the streak too much," Schnitman said.

"The game against Westlake, we didn't have all of our players, so when we won there was a little sigh of relief. However, it's something that doesn't come up."

Although the Coyotes were shorthanded against Westlake, Kinberg said one of the reasons for the team's success is because the school gets great players from its area.

"A lot of schools in the Marmonte League aren't as good as they could be," Kinberg said. "They have a lot of players in their area that don't play for the high school because they are home-schooled or think that the league won't be competitive enough for them.

"I think that is a shame. I've been fortunate to have girls that play here and love playing here. If they are going to learn how to play in college, what better place to learn than this league," the coach said.

Kinberg has many players that have contributed to the Coyotes' success, so much so, in fact, that she said it's the most depth she's ever had on a team at the school.

Calabasas is led by its seniors- Wiesner, Chang and Schnitman.

The team is set for the future, too, with juniors Brittney Harper, Tiffany Harper and Valerie Chang.

Calabasas sophomores Afton Ashforth and Sabrina ManSonHing, as well as freshman Florence Hernandez, have all been vital to the team's winning ways this season.

"This team has been great," Kinberg said. "I love their court demeanor, and they are easy to coach because they are so calm. They listen to everything I say, whether it's a skill they are using or a mental strategy."

The coach likes to switch up her singles and doubles players on a regular basis to fit what's best for a particular match. The players don't seem to mind.

"I don't really care where I play," Brittney Harper said. "I think all of us are good at both (singles and doubles), so it doesn't matter. Whatever is best for the team."

With so many quality players returning next season, Calabasas looks to be dominant again in the future. According to one senior, the four years have been a great ride.

"It seems like yesterday I was in my first year here and I was watching the seniors acting all sad because it was over," Schnitman said.

"I'm looking forward to CIF (playoffs) to see how well this team does, but still, it's been a great season."