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Every year since the Bullis girls tennis team moved into the Independent School League's AA Division in 2004, the Bulldogs have set one goal: Win at least one division match and stay in the league's upper division.
Bullis (5-7 record in 2007) has lingered in the bottom of the ISL's upper division rankings the last three years, with a 15-21 record since 2005.
Things are looking up in 2008, though. The addition via transfer of three ranked U.S. Tennis Association players to its singles lineup makes Bullis a serious contender for both the ISL regular-season banner and season-ending tournament title.
Magruder High's former top two singles players, sisters Moriah and Ariel Burke, are ranked No. 637 and 1,274 of 1,969 in the USTA Girls 18s. Former Bethesda-Chevy Chase No. 1 Darien Sears is ranked No. 1,800.
"Before, no one on the team really played tournament tennis," seven-year Bullis coach Bob Pass said. "With this group coming in, we have an opportunity to go undefeated. I'm not saying we will, but we have the opportunity. We're going to be strong in the singles."
Bullis' singles lineup hasn't been solidified yet. But Sears and Moriah Burke, who finished third and fourth in last year's Montgomery County Region II tournament, and Ariel Burke, who won the No. 2 singles title at last year's county championship, will occupy the top three positions.
Senior Dina Jackson, who played No. 1 singles last year, will move down to No. 4 singles. An NCAA Division I lacrosse recruit, Jackson is athletic and should be one of the league's strongest No. 4 singles players. That'll give the Bulldogs a good amount of depth to work with.
Of course, the Bulldogs can't look too far ahead. Standing between them and those coveted titles are the usual suspects: Holton-Arms (10-2), which won the ISL regular season banner and tournament title in 2006 and tied Episcopal for first in last year's tournament, and Stone Ridge (10-4), which won the season banner and tournament title in '05.
Holton lost five of its top 10 players from last year's squad, but the Panthers can never be counted out. They're young, with only one senior. But they're talented. And once they learn to use all their tools efficiently with more match play experience, they'll be dangerous.
Three-year varsity starter and last year's ISL No. 1 singles runner-up, junior Gabby Devlin, has been out the latter part of the summer with a broken foot. But she's expected to be cleared to play early in the season and if she can find her form, will be an important part of the Panthers' singles effort — she went 8-2 at No. 1 singles in 2007. Holton will also look for strong performances from sophomore Sofia DiPaolo, who was part of last year's ISL No. 1 doubles partnership.
Stone Ridge returns eight players, but is still young. The Gators will look to sophomore Kelly Mulquin and junior Elizabeth Gerber to anchor the singles lineup. Much of the team's success will hinge on doubles pairings and overall team depth.
"It's going to come down to how well we can do in doubles," Stone Ridge coach Jeff Fowle said. "We're not usually the best at No. 1, but we have a lot of depth. That's what keeps us competitive. There isn't a huge dropoff from Nos. 4-10."
WCAC
Holy Cross has dropped a bit since winning the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title in 2005. The Tartans finished second in '06 and third in '07; St. John's has dominated the conference since 2006.
But led by three-time defending WCAC No. 1 singles champion, senior Maria Fuccillo, they're looking to get back on top in 2008.
Fuccillo, ranked No. 71 nationally in the USTA Girls 18s, is a complete player, ripe with natural talent and court savvy. Fuccillo sets the tone for the Tartans and provides a good example for the rest of the lineup to follow. Holy Cross will also rely on senior Sam Hopkins.
Good Counsel (6-9) lost four of its top six players. Coach Lee Ingham deemed this a rebuilding year, but led by senior Monica Deguzman, junior Claire Barkett and freshman Olivia Hogan, is hoping the team can still remain competitive in the WCAC.
