Imagine walking into a wild scene of tennis rackets, a couple of hundred athletes, even more fans and media from every corner of the state with your very first state tennis match only moments away.
Now imagine walking into the same setting wearing a Cherry Creek girls tennis jacket. Does that help? Does it hurt the opposition even before offering up a serve?
The answer to both questions is yes and no.
“There is a bit of a Creek mystique. Some teams might go out there and be a little intimidated,” said John Gibas, the Bruins’ coach since 1995.
Cherry Creek has won 13 of the past 14 Class 5A state tennis championships, and the Bruins are favored to claim another when the three-day tournament begins today at the Gates Tennis Center.
The 4A tournament, featuring No. 1 singles standouts Lauren Miller of Kent Denver, a three-time state champion at No. 2 singles, and newcomer Simone Kalhorn of Pine Creek will be played at Pueblo City Park.
Cherry Creek has won 10 state titles since Gibas took over and 23 titles since 1976. That is the second-most championships by any boys or girls program in any Colorado sport, behind only the school’s boys tennis team, which owns 32 titles.
The Bruins won six of a possible seven individual titles last season – the only loss was at the crowded No. 1 singles position – and Cherry Creek, as always, brings a talented, deep and experienced group to the tournament this time around.
Still, nobody is going to roll over and let the Bruins add to their dynasty without a fight.
“This is not just a show-up kind of thing. We are going to have to strap it on and get with it. There are plenty of worthy contenders bringing full teams,” said Gibas, who added, “The girls will be ready for the challenge.”
Sophomore Elizabeth Marsico won the No. 3 singles title for the Bruins last season and moved into the top spot this year. Rachael Loeb is back to defend her No. 2 singles title, and Morganne Downing moved up from doubles to the No. 3 singles position.
Christina Macey and Stacey Berlinger will try to win another title at No. 1 doubles. Macey is in pursuit of her fourth doubles title, the second while playing with Berlinger.
Macey’s experience plays a big role for Cherry Creek in the days leading up to the tournament.
“Nothing is quite so fearsome if you know what it is going to be about,” Gibas said. “The girls who have been to state before talk about it, about how to cope, about how to deal with a hostile crowd.”
Another team that will know what to expect, at least from the Bruins, is Chatfield. The Chargers cruised through Jefferson County League play and regionals without dropping a set, and they faced Cherry Creek two times this season.
In the first meeting in Grand Junction, the Chargers’ No. 2 doubles team of Ali Grush and Dani Lutes beat the Bruins’ team. In the second meeting at Cherry Creek, Chatfield’s No. 4 doubles team of Kelley Pickens and Anna Gleave earned a victory.
Asked about the influence of the “Cherry Creek mystique,” Chatfield coach Jeni Weimer said, “In the past it has been a big deal, but not as much this year. We’ve seen them twice, and anybody can win on any given day.”
Grand Junction, Fort Collins and Lewis-Palmer are other teams to keep an eye on.
Lewis-Palmer’s Christin Thompson was the runner-up at No. 1 singles last season and can be considered an arguable favorite among a loaded field. Jenna Coleman of Grand Junction, Katie Brown of Air Academy, freshman Erin Sanders of Ponderosa and many others also have a chance.
Sanders and Brown will play each other in the first round, and the winner will face Marsico or Columbine’s Christine Pelletier in the second round, which says a lot about how tough the bracket is.
In 4A, four-time defending champion Kent Denver and Cheyenne Mountain will be the teams to watch, but the best action at any level could be in the No. 1 singles bracket.
Pine Creek’s Kalhorn, Kent Denver’s Miller, Cheyenne Mountain’s Casey Wetzig (the No. 3 singles champion last season) and Breanne Murray from Steamboat Springs will battle for the title with a handful of others.
