In what could be a memorable girls tennis season full of talented new faces and vulnerable perennial powers, the situation Jessika Mozia finds herself in is somewhat fitting.
Mozia is one of the top individual players in the state, the defending Class 4A state champion at No. 1 singles who has a very real possibility of adding multiple titles before her prep career is over. Yet Mozia, a junior from Colorado Academy, might be challenged to secure the No. 1 singles slot on her own team.
The Mustangs welcome another top-flight singles player, freshman Mira Ruder-Hook, to the program as Colorado Academy looks to make a move in what should be wide-open team races in both classifications.
“She has the skills, but in my 31 years of coaching she is in the top of the list as far as work ethic,” Colorado Academy coach Bob Ulrich said of Mozia. “Jessika has a great power game, and Mira has a more stay-in-the-point approach. It will be a contrast in styles. Both are highly regarded players.”
Mozia will be a favorite in a 4A singles field that also includes D’Evelyn junior Erin Gebes, the player Mozia defeated to win the 2010 crown.
It would not be a surprise if 2011 marked the end of the line for the extended championship runs of Cherry Creek (14 consecutive 5A titles) and Cheyenne Mountain, the owner of three 4A titles in the past four years.
Fairview, with defending No. 2 singles champion Kat Pepin, defending No. 3 singles champion Katie Kuosman, and the defending No. 1 doubles state title team of Becca Warren and Megan Moore, give the Knights the inside track at dethroning the Bruins.
The 4A team race will be paced by a deep Regis Jesuit team.
Class 5A top teams
1. Fairview
2. Cherry Creek
3. Chatfield
4. Denver East
5. Grand Junction
Players to watch: Keiko Kasho, Cherry Creek, Jr.; Katie Kuosman, Fairview, So.; Monica Li, Fairview, Jr.; Lauren Musso, Denver East, Sr.; Kat Pepin, Fairview, So.; Kelli Woodman, Cherry Creek, So.
Class 4A top teams
1. Regis Jesuit
2. Cheyenne Mountain
3. Mullen
4. Colorado Academy
5. D’Evelyn
Class 4A players to watch: Shelby Cerkovnik, Regis Jesuit, So.; Erin Gebes, D’Evelyn, Jr.; Jessika Mozia, Colo. Academy, Jr.; Kristen Sullivan, Cheyenne Mountain, Jr.; Genevieve Tarlton, Regis Jesuit, Sr.; Emily Venner, Chey. Mountain, Sr.
