Granite Bay High School this fall is trying to continue a successful run that includes four consecutive Sac-Joaquin Section team championships.

The Grizzlies won those titles under Polly Hunter, who made the 2010 season her last and returned to Southern California. Granite Bay will go for its fifth section title in a row under new coach Rory Wood, who isn’t really new at all.

“We got a good team,” said Wood, who last spring guided the Granite Bay boys team to its second section crown. “I believe we got the strongest team in the (Sierra Foothill League).”

The Grizzlies have 20 girls returning from last year, including junior twins Lily and Chloe Forlini. The team’s top two singles players, they also are the two-time defending section doubles champs.

“They are our driving force … our best players,” Wood said.

Upping the ante are sisters Karolina and Kammy Kecki. Karolina won section singles titles in 2008 and ’09, but the sisters didn’t play for the Grizzlies last season.

“It’s added competition,” Wood said. “We got someone who can help to drive (the Forlini sisters) during the season.”

The expectation for this team is to work through SFL play, the section tournament and return to the Northern California Regional.

Said Wood, “Our ultimate goal is to see if we can get one more regional win.”
Granite Bay opens SFL play against Nevada Union on Tuesday.

Woodcreek

Coming off a season that saw Woodcreek go 5-2 in nonleague matches and winless in the SFL, the Timberwolves are ready to make some noise.

“The team level, the fitness level, the stamina level are higher this season,” coach Christine Mabery said. “It’s just a better team this season. They’re ready to play.”

The Timberwolves return five seniors among 25 players total, but freshman Danielle Arendian has earned the No. 1 slot.

“Dani deserves the spot,” Mabery said. “She’s been in tournaments over the summer, and she’s become a sound player.”

Jordan Christ moves up to No. 2 after playing at Nos. 4 and 5 last season.
Woodcreek meets Roseville in its SFL opener Tuesday.

Roseville

The Tigers finished fourth in the SFL in 2010 and narrowly missed qualifying for the playoffs. They believe they have what it takes to jump that hurdle.

“I’m pretty confident, pretty excited that we could make a deep run in league and … break into the playoffs,” coach Donny Nush said.

Roseville lost several key players, including six seniors. But they have their Nos. 1, 2 and 4 singles players returning. Senior Adaugo Ukeagbu won the SFL singles title last fall, and senior captain Bianca Luna resumes her role as the No. 2 singles player.

“She has been the most productive winner in the past three years,” Nush said. “She’s one of the leaders on the squad and someone we can count on.”

Nush also is looking forward to seeing what sophomore Emma Carlson can bring to the No. 5 slot.

Oakmont

The Vikings finished third in the Capital Valley Conference and advanced to the second round in the section tournament last season. They’re confident they’re the team to beat this season.

“We got a lot of returners,” coach Kevin Chorjel said. “The players are stepping up so far, and we’re expecting big results.”

The Vikings bring back 18 players, including top singles player Megan Sullivan and No. 3 Ali Doerr.

Sullivan, a sophomore, went 2-3 at the California High School Girls Tennis Classic in Fresno last weekend and played “extremely well against ranked players,” Chorjel said.

Kate Smith went 4-0, and senior Ali Doerr went 2-0 in singles and 2-1 in doubles.
“I like her leadership and how she stepped up as a leader,” Chorjel said.