Women’s Tennis Hoping to Soar With Influx of Local Talent
After a 2015 season that concluded with a 6-9 overall record, the ever-improving FLC women's tennis team is approaching the 2016 season as their "break out" year. The team has shown steady improvement since head coach Craig Perez took over after the 2013 season was cancelled due to lack of players. With four new freshmen in the top four spots, the 2016 team could be the best ever at FLC. Returnees from last year are Emma Lewis and Alex Tacuyan at number 5 and 6, respectively. Both have improved dramatically over last year after an intense summer and fall training program. The fact that they will play in the 5th and 6th slots speaks to the quality of players that coach Perez brought in. Playing #1 singles will be Hannah Crookham, a freshman from Oak Ridge HS in El Dorado Hills. Sophie Taber (Bella Vista HS) is slotted at #2 singles and partnering with Crookham on the #1 doubles pair. Sisters Angelica and Ariell Frank, from Vista del Lago HS, will play in the 3rd and 4th singles spots and likely pair on the #2 doubles team. Behind Lewis and Tacuyan, the Falcons also have depth that has been lacking in the past.
The Falcons open the season with five home matches (weather permitting), beginning with Cabrillo on Friday (Jan 29) afternoon. The Big 8 Conference schedule begins on Feb 16 and continues through March. "I would expect Santa Rosa to be as tough as always, but Diablo Valley could be a sleeper," noted Perez when asked about his predictions for the Big 8. "If we stay healthy, we could give teams a tough time. We are really a lot better." The Falcons hope to finish in the top three in the final Big 8 standings, thus earning FLC's first trip to the NorCal team playoffs.