Colorado high school tennis field turns its eye to dethroning Cherry Creek

When Fossil Ridge (Fort Collins) coach Mike Scimeca talks about the upcoming Class 5A state girls tennis tournament, he does so with a dose of both optimism and realism.

The SaberCats coach believes in his squad's ability to make an impact starting Thursday morning at Gates Tennis Center in Denver, but also readily admits that his squad has a tough road. Six of the team's seven positions will be represented at state, but a full contingent would certainly have been an asset in trying to topple 17-time defending state champion Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village).

"We are trying to unseat them," Scimeca said. "This makes it that much more difficult."

Difficult, but not impossible; that's the mantra every squad will take into Gates when first-round play gets underway Thursday.

"They set the bar really high. They're a great team and they've got great coaches," Scimeca said of Cherry Creek. "We look forward to that competition every year."

Fossil Ridge finished second to the Bruins a year ago, advancing to the championship finals in each of the four doubles brackets and winning the title at No. 3 doubles. Cherry Creek claimed titles at No. 2 singles and No. 1 and 2 doubles, amassing 67 points along the way.

Cherry Creek's Gloria Son, a champion at No. 2 singles a year ago, has moved to No. 1 singles this spring and is part of a loaded field that includes defending state champion Rebecca Weissmann of Loveland. Fossil Ridge's Shawnea Pagat is part of that draw, as are teammates Kaitlyn Motley at No. 2 singles and Emma Jo Wiley in the third spot. All three captured regional titles.

Scimeca believes his singles players will be a big key in making a run at the top spot.

"I think this year we're stronger at the top than we've been in the past," he said. "Because of that I feel like we have a better shot at finishing higher. I'm pleased with how our singles players are playing. … I feel like all three are peaking."

The doubles positions are always a strength for the SaberCats, who returned nine of their 11 players overall from last season. Sam Penhale, who was a member of the championship team at No. 3 doubles, is now at No. 2 doubles with Nicole Newell.

Loveland enters the tournament with two qualifiers in Weissmann and Sarah Clinkenbeard at No. 2 singles. Weissmann took the state by storm as a freshman, defeating Pine Creek's Nicole Kalhorn in the finals to win the No. 1 singles crown.
Indians coach John Manuszak said Weissmann is probably a bit more consistent this year and the added experience should pay dividends.

"I think just having a year of experience is going to help her even more," he said. "She's played in huge tournaments all around the country, but I felt like last year, being at state and representing her school was a lot for her.

"Having done that I think she's able to handle the mental part of that."

Weissmann captured a regional title by defeating Denver East's Bria Smith in the finals. Smith is the only player to take a set from Weissmann during her prep career.

"She's just played so much that she just knows the game really well," Manuszak said of his sophomore. "I think she's mentally really strong. She doesn't really make mistakes and when she does, she really knows what she did and can fix the problem."

Fairview (Boulder) and Arapahoe (Centennial) join Cherry Creek in qualifying all seven positions to state. Fairview senior Katie Li, a three-time state champion at No. 3 singles, is seeking her first title at the No. 1 spot.

Class 4A

Five-time defending state champion Cheyenne Mountain (Colorado Springs) pushed all seven positions through to the 4A state championships at Pueblo City Park, rolling to another regional title along the way.

The Indians will have their fair share of state challengers though, as Air Academy (US Air Force Academy), Steamboat Springs, Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch) and Niwot each qualified its entire team as well.

Sophomore Kalyssa Hall is back to defend her No. 1 singles crown in a field that also includes 2013 third-place finisher Alex Weil of St. Mary's Academy (Englewood) and fourth-place finisher Glenna Gee-Taylor of Centaurus (Lafayette).

The No. 2 singles bracket features three of the top four placers in last year's No. 3 singles bracket and two former state champions — Suzy Xiao of St. Mary's Academy and Delaney Nalen of Kent Denver (Englewood).