Tennis players to watch

GIRLS

Katie Hubbard, Jr., Mitchell

Five of the Mustangs' top six are back, led by Hubbard. She will play No. 1 singles for the third year after going 7-9 last season. With five juniors and one sophomore, this could be the latest young Mitchell team to emerge in the school's third year.

Dacey Mahoney, Sr., River Ridge

Led the Royal Knights to a conference title in 2002 at No. 1 singles but will be without last year's No. 2 and 3, Ali Bigger and Ashlee Brower. The Royal Knights still will be tough to beat with Mahoney leading the way.

Katie Mansfield, Sr., Ridgewood

Earned all-conference honors as a sophomore but played most of last year with an injured wrist. Healthy again, she will battle freshman Jenna Ricci for the right to replace Rachel Rauber as the Rams' No. 1 singles player. Junior Jamie Surmin, who went undefeated in the conference at No. 3 singles last year, and sophomore Tara Spaid give Ridgewood a deep lineup. Those two went undefeated in the county at No. 2 doubles last year.

Stephanie Mecca, Sr., Wesley Chapel

Went undefeated at No. 4 singles last year and has trained since, moving up to No. 1 and pairing with sister Alexis for the Wildcats' new No. 1 doubles combo. Tough shoes to fill after four years of domination from Cristina Lucin, but coach Julie Marks said she believes this year's team could be better than last year's district title squad.

Kelly Jackson, Sr., Land O'Lakes

Went 14-2 in singles as a junior and reached the state quarterfinals in doubles with Marcella Argollo, who she will replace as the Gators' No. 1. Coach Mary Jane Reeves has four seniors atop her ladder with Jackson, a soccer standout, leading the way.

BOYS

Juan Castaneda, Jr. Hudson

The Sunshine Athletic Conference Player of the Year went 16-4 in his first year at No. 1. Hudson, the 2A-9 runner-up to Hernando last season, should contend for conference and district championships with Castaneda back as the ace and contributions from seniors Mike Abrahams and Davis Hanley.

Mike Seidl, Jr., Land O'Lakes

Was the 3A-7 No. 1 singles runner-up and No. 1 doubles runner-up with Vu-Anh Thai. The duo was unbeaten at doubles during the regular season and with junior transfer Kyle Staiger from Daytona Beach Seabreeze give the Gators, arguably, the best top three in the county.

Vu-Anh Thai, So., Land O'Lakes

Went unbeaten at No. 2 last year and teamed with Seidl on the district runner-up No. 1 doubles team. Thai, whose lone doubles loss came in the district final, will challenge for district titles in singles and doubles. That should help Land O'Lakes improve on last year's third-place finish at the district tournament.

Timmy Carter, Sr., Zephyrhills

Last year's No. 1, he is off to a 2-0 start. Coach Gary Davis said Carter's serve has improved and he is more aggressive on his forehand and backhand. With sophomore Suneal Bedi, last year's No. 2 expected to challenge Carter for No. 1, the Bulldogs have a strong combination of the present and future.

Jameson Beach, Sr., River Ridge

Played his part in leading the Royal Knights to the conference title by going 14-3 at No. 4 singles. Teamed with Nick Brown and Matt Turner at Nos. 3-5 to go a combined 41-5 in conference matches.

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