Spartans stand alone in Pacific View League

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers TALENTED GROUP—Rio Mesa High junior Allison Clayton, above, plays doubles for the Spartans with junior Holly Brown, below. Rio Mesa is ranked No. 8 in the CIF-SS Division IV coaches' poll. For the past two years it's been difficult to crack the starting lineup on the Rio Mesa High girls' tennis squad.

It's been even tougher to register a win against the Spartans.

Thanks to an unbelievable freshman class that came in during the fall of 2006, Rio Mesa has been unstoppable of late.

After winning the Pacific View League title last season, the Spartans are once again the top team in the PVL with a 120 overall record, 7-0 in league entering Thursday's match at Channel Islands.

"We're a little more experienced this year, and after playing the same teams for the past few seasons, we know what to expect," junior Sarah Zook said. "We know the competition, and we feel we can beat anyone."

Although the entire Rio Mesa squad has played well, one of the biggest reasons for its success has been the play of six juniors that all made the varsity team as freshmen. They are Claire Willey, Allison Clayton, Sonia Landeros, Meghan Richardson, Savannah Arnot and Zook.

Although she wasn't one of the original six, junior Holly Brown has also made a big impact playing doubles.

"I've seen a lot of growth with this team," Rio Mesa head coach Steve Worthington said. "The learning curve is very steep; the girls are maturing in the sport."

Willey said the team chemistry has been great.

"Most of us have known each other since even before high school," Willey said. "I've played with some of these girls since grade school. We used to play each other throughout the years on our club teams.

"When all of us joined the same team in high school, we knew we'd be a force."

Rio Mesa's singles are led by senior Candace Scholler, Landeros and Zook. Tuesday against Oxnard, the singles players won eight of nine matches. Zook won her three matches by scores of 6-3, 6-1 and 6-0.

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers DOUBLE-UP—Junior Claire Willey, above, is another one of RMHS' talented doubles players. She usually teams with Jenna Dobrin. "Our singles are great because on any given day, any one of our three players could be our No. 1 player," Worthington said. "That's how good this team is."

Although it's been tough for a newcomer to crack the Rio Mesa starting lineup, that's exactly what freshman Jenna Dobrin did this season. Dobrin, teamed with Willey, has made a formidable doubles pairing.

The duo had gone 27-3 prior to Thursday's match.

"I really came into this year with no expectations, and whatever happened, happened," Dobrin said. "I was really happy when I made the team. The team and the coaches have always been encouraging."

During the past few seasons Worthington has pretty much had his starting lineup set, but Dobrin's talent was too good to ignore.

"What I noticed right away with her was her attitude and ability," Worthington said. "She's one of the most coachable girls I've ever had. She's always absorbing knowledge, and she's just a bona fide genuine force on the tennis court."

Other doubles teams that have played well include Clayton with Brown, and Richardson with Arnot.

"The singles play always gets the glory here, but it's the doubles that win matches," Worthington said. "They have a wonderful attitude. Everyone knows their role, and they're a really good group to work with."

With another PVL title looming, the Spartans will soon begin looking toward the postseason. Rio Mesa is ranked No. 8 in the CIF-Southern Section Division IV coaches' poll, but Worthington said he doesn't concern himself with the rankings.

"I've sent nothing to the rankings committee this year," Worthington said.

"Our draw will be important, but the way I figure it, we have to beat everyone anyway. We just have to play the cards dealt us. We can only control what happens on our court."

Although Rio Mesa will be one of the top teams gunning for a CIF championship next month, the Spartans want to make sure their run at the top of the standings lasts for a few more years.

Freshman Elyza Baltazar said that although she's not on the varsity squad, the rest of the team has made her feel at home.

"As a freshman, you come here, and it's amazing to see all this talent and experience from the juniors and seniors," Baltazar said.

"They've been really welcoming toward me and supportive. They've done a great job showing me how this program works."