Pearl River Girls Tennis Rebuilding With Youth

The Pearl River girls tennis team drew a large group to the courts when practice opened last week, with 54 players trying out.

Only four of them are returning starters from 2011 -- Seniors Elina Arakelyan, Stacey Wang and Joanna McIntyre and junior Aileen Burke.

"It is a rebuilding year with many young faces," Pearl River Coach Joan Smith said. "I think our team will improve so much over the course of the season, with all the younger girls team. The future for Pearl River tennis is bright and I am very excited about that."

As a team, Pearl River was 4-4 in the league and 6-7 overall in 2011. Arakelyan will again play first singles, as she did last season. She missed some time due to a back injury and finished 5-3 overall. Stacey Wang, 10-3 a year ago, will play at second or third singles.

"I am hoping to improve off last season and will be stressing the developmental aspect of coaching, looking to the future. Teaching the strategy of the game and what to think about during a match," Smith said.

Among the young players who could see time this year are 10th graders Ciara O'Riordan and Katie O'Hanlon, ninth graders Jane Alkhazov, Katia Ariyan and Sinead O'Sullivan, 8th graders Dana Sorrentino and Nicole Alkhazov and seventh grader Lina Ariyan.

"My concern is about the short preseason to work with these new girls," Smith said. "We have a match the very first day of school after only 11 practices.

"I think the team will develop over the course of the season and become stronger and stronger over the next few years. The young girls and the returning players are excited, enthusiastic and anxious to learn. I feel it will be a challenging, yet very rewarding season."

Pearl River will open its season Tuesday, Sept. 4 against Clarkstown South.