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Associate mug of Kenny Connolly, Anaheim reporter.

Date shot: 12/31/2012 . Photo by KATE LUCAS /  ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

O.C. TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH

Katie Ta, Capistrano Valley, Sr.: The Register’s reigning Player of the Year returns with aspirations of topping last season’s semifinals appearance in CIF Individuals. Ta is also pursuing her third straight undefeated season in the Sea View League.

Alexandra Valenstein, Laguna Hills, Sr.: The Hawks top singles player made a run to the CIF quarterfinals last season, advancing just a round short of Ta. She enters 2014 as a five-star recruit, ranked as high as 27th nationally.

Yuki Asami, University, Sr.: A first-team All-County performer last season, Asami is as versatile as they come. She went 12-0 in singles matches against the likes of Corona del Mar and Dana Hills in 2013, in addition to winning the Pacific Coast League’s doubles title.

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Rachel Kim, Villa Park, Sr.: The three-time defending Century League singles champ will look to conclude her high school career with a fourth straight singles title, this time in the new Crestview League. She advanced to the round of 16 in last year’s CIF Individuals.

Celine Gruaz, University, Sr.: Another one of the Trojans’ first-team All-County performers from 2013, Gruaz advanced to the CIF Individual semifinals for doubles. As a singles player, she showed off her clutch gene, winning huge sets in matches against Dana Hills and Campbell Hall of Los Angeles, two of the best squads in Southern California.

Contact the writer: kconnolly@ocregister.com