FORT COLLINS — Natalie Dunn’s personality doesn’t strike fear into anyone.
But when the shy and unassuming senior from Poudre walks onto the tennis court, it’s a different story.
Last year, she rolled to the Class 5A No. 1 singles title at the Gates Tennis Center over 2008 champion, friend and future University of Denver teammate Caroline Schnell of Cherry Creek, 6-2, 6-0.
“Anyway you look at it, you have to be ready for anything,” Dunn said of having the target on her back this year. “I don’t think there is any added pressure, but it is definitely a different feeling.”
The unpredictable weather and the lack of “big-time competition” up north isn’t a hindrance to Dunn, who despite the weather will go out and hit anytime or anywhere.
“I don’t like it, but you kind of have to, because you can’t get indoor courts,” Dunn said.
In addition to Schnell, the competition should be fierce for bragging rights as the state’s top player in the big-school ranks. It took Dunn three sets in the semifinals to topple Cherokee Trail’s Jacqueline Palmucci.
Dunn knows that everytime she takes the court, she is going to get her opponents’ best shots. Being ready is the key to her success, and that is not just on the court.
“I think staying in shape is really important, and I feel like if I’m fit, then all the other stuff comes easy,” she said. “Especially if I haven’t been hitting a lot. The good hitting I do get comes on the weekend in Denver.”
The 5A team race is once again all about Cherry Creek. The Bruins have won 13 consecutive team titles and 19 of the past 21. Schnell, Brittany Warly (No. 2 singles champion) and Keiko Kasho (No. 3 singles runner-up) give Creek, which is always strong in doubles, the depth to make the team race a nonfactor come Saturday of the state tournament.
Girls tennis preview
Start of season: March 4
State championships: May 13-15, Class 5A: Gates Tennis Center; 4A: Pueblo City Park.
Class 5A
Top-five teams: 1. Cherry Creek, 2. Fairview, 3. Arapahoe, 4. Chatfield, 5. Boulder.
Players to watch:
Kaley Carmichael, Ponderosa, Sr.
Natalie Dunn, Poudre, Sr.
Keiko Kasho, Cherry Creek, So.
Eva Kovacs, Rampart, Sr.
Jacqueline Palmucci, Cherokee Trail, Sr.
Brittney Ricci, Ponderosa, Jr.
Kathrine Ross, Chatfield, So.
Caroline Schnell, Cherry Creek, Sr.
Brittany Warly, Cherry Creek, Jr.
Class 4A
Top-five teams: 1. Cheyenne Mountain, 2. Fossil Ridge, 3. Kent Denver, 4. Regis Jesuit, 5. Mullen.
Players to watch:
Catherine Arend, Mullen, Jr.
Kristina Barber, Cheyenne Mountain, Sr.
Kate Carroll, Regis Jesuit, Jr.
Chelsea Dinkel, Fossil Ridge, Sr.
Jessika Mozia, Colorado Academy, So.
Meha Semwal, Cheyenne Mountain, Sr.
Genevieve Tarlton, Regis Jesuit, Jr.
Emily Venner, Cheyenne Mountain, Jr.
Sammie Watson, Kent Denver, Jr.
