League Champions
Men's-1958, 1959, 1973
Women's-1978, 1980, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1994
The 2009 Shasta College Tennis season marks the 25th year that Coach Frank Gutierrez has been at the helm of Shasta tennis. Prior to that, he was the head tennis pro at Sun Oaks Racquet Club, as well as being part owner for a period of time. We look forward to this season with great anticipation, with new athletes coming on campus, as well as our returning second year athletes.
Starting in the number #1 position is Yang Xiong out of Willows H.S. Yang has a good all court game, leadership, and great enthusiasm. Right behind is 2nd year player and Captain, John Smith, out of Downeyville H.S. Andy Martin, also a 2nd year athlete and Willows H.S. grad is in the 3rd position. Smith and Martin are Shasta’s #1 Doubles team. They played outstanding together last season and have proven to be one of the better teams in the conference. Josh Oliverez, an Orland H.S. grad, will start in the number 4 position. Josh has been working hard to get ready for league competition. The next two positions on the ladder are very close between Cyle Fischer, Downeyville H.S., and Eric Brahms, U-Prep H.S. Both athletes are 1st year players. Next in line is former Shasta Baseball player, Todd Loria, a Colony H.S. Palmer, Alaska grad. Todd is a scrapper and gets a lot of balls in play. We look for a steady advancement to reach his next level of play. Alex Feusier, Eureka H.S. grad, could play at the number 5-7 positions at any time. He is recuperating from a shoulder injury and we hope he recovers soon. Second year player Josh Hard, West Valley H.S. grad, comes back with his killer backhand and forehand. Rounding out the men’s team are Dorian Rivera, Michoacán Mexico, and Clarence Lim, from Singapore.
Lady Knight’s Tennis for 2009 has 6 sophomores returning and 6 incoming freshman. Preseason practice has endured quite a few injuries, both on the Women’s team and the Men’s team. We can’t say enough about our trainer, Mike Davis, and his professionalism, in helping with the mending process of our student athletes. Freshman D.J. Drum, a Corning H.S. grad, will start the season as the number 1 Lady Knight. D.J. is a grinder and never seems to run out of energy. She has tremendous enthusiasm for the game and loves competition. 2nd year athletes, twin sisters Kristen and Melissa Buists, can rotate back and forth at the second and third positions on any given day. Kristen and Melissa were outstanding last season as our #1 doubles team. They will continue in that position as well for the 2009 season. The Lady Knights are solid at the # 4 position with Lisa Mauck, West Valley grad, and 2nd year athlete. Lisa and D.J. will also be a solid #2 doubles team. Numbers 5-6-7-8 could rotate positions during the season. In those positions we have Darcie Thurman, Red Bluff H.S. grad, and former softball player for Shasta College. Darcie’s progress is escalating at a very fast pace, due to her athleticism. Abby Trautt, Red Bluff grad, will team up with Darcie in doubles, and play singles in one of the positions mentioned previously. Another set of twins out of Yreka H.S. are Ashley Tudor and Alyssa Tudor; both first year athletes. They are working into the program very nicely. Second year athlete Alaina Pilano, Eureka H.S. grad, and first year athlete, Hana Khoronov, Foothill H.S. grad, round out the Lady Knights Tennis program. Reagan Miller, West Valley H.S. grad, our #1, player of 2008; and Rachael Phillips, Anderson H.S. grad will be red shirting this season.
We look forward to the 2009 season with our student-athletes that are dedicated, hardworking, and enthusiastic on and off the courts. They will represent Shasta College Knights to the highest degree and make us proud.