Westlake High’s girls’ tennis team could be celebrating a CIF-Southern Section Open Division title in the coming years.
A program that enjoyed unparalleled success under legendary head coach Connie Flanderka has savored a renaissance of sorts with third-year head coach Scott Yasgoor.
“I’m so glad I got to experience having Coach Flanderka and Coach Scott,” said Sam Noh, a senior singles standout in her fourth varsity season. “Their styles are very different, but both very effective.”
Flanderka, who started the tennis program when Westlake opened its doors in 1978, won 20 league titles and four section titles in 39 seasons at the helm. She was inducted into the Southern Section hall of fame in October.
Yasgoor has helped propel the Warriors from local powerhouse to section juggernaut.
Westlake (16-7 overall, 8-0 in the Marmonte League) claimed its second straight league title en route to earning a spot in the Open Division playoffs. The Warriors topped Palos Verdes 12-6 on Nov. 8, earning a semifinal showdown against top-ranked University of Irvine on Wednesday. A final score was unavailable at press time.
The Warriors, who reached the Division 1 semifinals last fall, were ranked in the top-10 of the Open Division most of the fall, entering the postseason at No. 4.
“ In previous years, we wouldn’t even know our rankings,” said Noh, a 4.89 GPA scholar athlete. “It’s really cool how far we’ve come.”
Emma Sun and Essence Wang, both sophomores, torment foes in singles. Emma Victor, a junior, and Rachel Sherrill, a sophomore, are Westlake’s top doubles tandem. Kyra Victor, Emma Victor’s younger sister, and Abigail Flamer are freshmen who play doubles together. Madeline Cooley, a senior, and juniors Elina Vaidya and Moorea Ramessar bolster the deep lineup.
Evelyn Hu, a senior doubles player who teams up with junior Cindy Zhang, said overnight trips to early-season tournaments helped the Warriors grow closer.
“We bonded a lot over that time,” said Hu, a fourth-year varsity player with a 4.8 GPA. “We stayed at the same hotels, on the same floors, and we’d sneak into other teammates’ rooms. Team bonding like that helped.”
While Hu said she knew Westlake had a special team this fall, she admits she’s been surprised by the level of success that the Tribe’s enjoyed throughout her prep career.
“My freshman year, I never thought Westlake would be so competitive,” said Hu, who plays first chair trombone in the school band. “It’s definitely grown over the four years that I’ve been here. It was a nice surprise.”
Zhang, a third-year varsity player with a 4.8 GPA, agreed with her teammate.
“When I first came into high school, I didn’t think our team would be so highly regarded,” Zhang said. “I was just trying to have fun and be a part of the team.”
Zhang said she’s enjoyed her experience with her teammates off the court.
“Eating dinner together after matches and bus rides, I feel like those are the times that we’ve had the most fun with each other,” Zhang said. “We have a sense of family. I feel like it’s helped a lot with my social relationships.”
The junior said she’s looking forward to trying to create even more memories next fall.
“I want to welcome the freshmen in and maintain an atmosphere that people enjoy playing tennis in,” Zhang said.
While Zhang has another year to rack up wins for the Warriors, Hu said she’s savoring the last days of her prep career.
“I’m definitely trying to cherish it,” Hu said. “It went by so fast.”
Will Westlake claim a section banner?
“To be determined,” Yasgoor said. “The fact that we’re in that conversation now is pretty exciting.”
IN A NUTSHELL
Head coach
• Scott Yasgoor (third season)
Seniors
• Sam Noh
• Evelyn Hu
• Madeline Cooley
2020 returners
• Essence Wang, sophomore
• Emma Sun, sophomore
• Emma Victor, junior
• Rachel Sherrill, sophomore
• Cindy Zhang, junior
• Kyra Victor, freshman
• Abigail Flamer, freshman
• Elina Vaidya, junior
• Moorea Ramessar, junior
On the court
• 16-7 overall, 8-0 in Marmonte League at press time
• League champions
• CIF-Southern Section Open Division semifinalists
Follow Jonathan Andrade on Twitter @J_ Andrade_.