Westlake is title town

Warrior girls’ tennis team snares first outright league crown since 2002



RETURN TO THE TOP—Gianna Insogna, a senior on the Westlake High girls’ tennis team, helped WHS win a Marmonte League title.

RETURN TO THE TOP—Gianna Insogna, a senior on the Westlake High girls’ tennis team, helped WHS win a Marmonte League title.

The drought is over. The Warriors have a championship all to themselves.

Westlake High’s girls’ tennis team captured a Marmonte League title outright for the first time since 2002.

It was a long time coming for one of the top tennis programs in Southern California.

Westlake last won a league title in 2010, sharing the crown with Thousand Oaks.

The Lancers won’t get their gauntlets on this one.

“It’s kind of weird not having them dominate and push us,” senior Warrior Kristina Ferrari said about the Lancers, who had won the past four league titles.

“It was fun playing against them, but it’s also fun to win. We’re not complaining.”

The Warriors (14-4 overall) cruised through league play with a perfect 14-0 record. Calabasas finished second, and Simi Valley took third place.

“Our goal was to go undefeated in league,” said Connie Flanderka, who has coached the Warriors for 36 seasons. “We haven’t been undefeated since 2002. It’s been a special year so far. We’re hoping momentum carries into CIF (playoffs).”

Flanderka, the only girls’ tennis head coach in school history, has led the Warriors to 19 league titles.

Marmonte League finals start today at Moorpark High and conclude Friday.

Teams in the Marmonte endured drastic changes this season and relied on inexperienced varsity players, including the Warriors.

Westlake, however, returned some of the top singles players in the league.

Senior Gianna Insogna continued her dominant high school career, while Ferrari took her game to another level.

“It feels weird having so many new faces on the team,” said Insogna, Westlake’s top singles player. “I’m used to having seniors to look up to. Now, I’m the one leading all the young players.

“Having Kristina really helped. We are able to use our experience and help the new players.”

Freshmen Katherine Ho and Anna Adamian provide the Warriors with a bright future.

Adamian planned on playing lacrosse if she didn’t make the tennis team. She did more than just earn a spot on the varsity team.

“It’s crazy to think I’m one of only two freshmen on varsity,” said Adamian, the No. 3 singles player. “I was surprised to get this much playing time. There’s pressure to keep up with Gianna and Kristina, but they’ve been helpful.”

Flanderka expressed confidence in Adamian when the coach named the freshman the top singles player against Calabasas last week.

“I was shocked,” Adamian said. “She said she wanted to try something new. I didn’t think it would be that. I struggled, but at least I have experience now.”

Adamian and Ho attended Colina Middle School in Thousand Oaks.

Ho hopes to have the same success her older brother, Brian, enjoyed with the Westlake boys’ tennis team. Brian Ho, a sophomore at Johns Hopkins University, was a four-year varsity standout on the top doubles team for the Warriors.

“I have a lot to live up to. I want to match what he did,” Katherine Ho said. “Brian gave me a lot of tips on what to expect from high school tennis. I’ve been having a great time. I’m sad the season is almost over.”

Ferrari held the top spot early in the season when Insogna nursed an injury and Julienne Worring, last season’s No. 2 singles standout, moved to Northern California.

“It’s been a new experience this season in singles,” said Ferrari, who enjoys acting. “I’m used to doubles, but they needed me to play singles. It took a while to get used to it, but now I enjoy it.”

Flanderka said she was impressed with Ferrari’s comeback win last week after the Warrior trailed a Coyote 5-2 in a highpressure match.

“She never gave up,” Flanderka said. “Kristina has been big for us all year.”

Amanda Shi and Alisha Yan form the top doubles team.

Monica Shi, Ashley Daily, Vanessa Cortes and Frances Ling were key contributors during Westlake’s undefeated Marmonte League season.

“We have a great singles player in Gianna, but it was a team effort,” Ferrari said. “We had a lot of new girls, but we still have plenty of returners. Everyone did their part.

“We were tired of second place. We’re hoping to do well during the playoffs.”


 

 

DOUBLE DUTY—Westlake’s Amanda Shi, above, stars at No. 1 doubles with Alisha Yan, top.

DOUBLE DUTY—Westlake’s Amanda Shi, above, stars at No. 1 doubles with Alisha Yan, top.

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