OCVarsity’s top five players to watch this season:
TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jadie Acidera, JSerra, Sr.: She has been a model of consistency and played an integral part in JSerra capturing a share of the program’s first league title last season. Acidera went 58-2 and advanced to the round of 16 at CIF-SS Individuals. The senior is the favorite to win a third straight Trinity League singles title this fall.
Emilee Duong, Valencia, Sr.: The senior captain has skyrocketed up the the nationwide rankings and currently sits 42nd in the class of 2017 (12th overall in California). Duong finished her junior campaign as the only unbeaten player in Orange County, putting together a perfect 39-0 clip. Recruiting trips forced Duong to miss the CIF Individual tournament last year, but she figures to be one of the county’s top threats at capturing that crown in November.
Kerisa Lin, Northwood, Sr.: She finished as the top player in the county’s top league last fall, winning the Pacific Coast League individual final over Corona del Mar’s Danielle Willson. Lin ended her junior season with a 43-9 record and finished as one of the final 16 players in contention for the CIF singles crown.
Christie Wan, Sunny Hills, Sr.: Wan could be considered the favorite to win the Southern Section’s singles championship. Last December, she progressed all the way to the final before falling to three-time champ Ena Shibahara of Peninsula. Wan is ranked 20th nationally and seventh in California. She’ll almost certainly be in contention for an individual crown.
Courtney Swift, Dana Hills, So.: It didn’t take long for Swift to establish herself as an up-and-coming force, playing as Dana Hills’ top singles player in her first varsity campaign. Alongside teammate Jacklyn Melkonian, Swift finished atop the South Coast League in doubles, and the duo were one of the final 20 pairs vying for the CIF doubles crown last fall.
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Contact the writer: kconnolly@scng.com
