Hillcrest High’s girls’ varsity tennis players are finding themselves in an unfamiliar, yet welcoming, side of the court.

In recent years, Hillcrest’s sports teams have struggled, but girls’ tennis has made long volleys and is now on top of the ball.

“We’re considered the favorites to win state,” said head coach Creighton Chun about the 4A championship. 

It comes with the Gonzalez sisters — senior Fabiana and freshman Luciana — leading the Huskies in No. 1 and No. 2 singles, respectively.

“Fabi was the favorite last year to win state, but she was a little tight,” Chun said about his senior captain. “It surprised me she got nervous became she plays as a high seed in all these (Utah Tennis Association Junior) tournaments. She’s learned and is playing with more confidence. Being the state champion is her goal. But our team realizes there’s a target on their backs; there’s no hiding it. They just need to execute.”

Chun is speaking plainly. Other coaches have told him the Huskies are the team to beat. They’ve asked him to sit his top players to make the matches more competitive. He’s complied and rested them on several occasions, giving his other players a chance to play singles or play up to varsity.

“You have to have five matches to qualify to play in region and state, plus I want to give them a chance to play as well,” he said.

Chun knows the sisters’ work ethic.

“They work hard. They aren’t like typical high school players who practice tennis a couple days. They play six days a week, a couple hours every day. They play on the weekends, where other high school girls might take the weekend off and just relax,” he said.

Fabi Gonzalez already has committed to California’s Fresno Pacific University, a division II school on an athletic scholarship.

“She’s progressively getting better. Luci has even a better chance. Fabi tells her all the time that she can go further than she has. Fabi was never No. 1 as a freshman; Luci is that good. They’re both expected to win; we have a great chance to sweep 1, 2 and 3 singles,” he said, adding Luci Gonzalez played up to the U-16 age group in the Junior Utah Open tournament and won this past summer beating last year’s 4A No. 2 singles champion.

Against Woods Cross, at the Wildcats’ coach request, the sisters played against their top two players in double play, Chun said.

“It was the most amazing doubles match I’ve watched. There was some hard-hitting balls and fast, powerful returns,” he said as the Hillcrest duo fell to who he believes will be the 5A state champions.

Playing at third singles is freshman Nivedita Bakshi, who Chun describes as a smart, strong student-athlete, adding she intends to earn her International Baccalaureate diploma.

Last year’s second singles player, senior Camila Andrade, is playing first doubles with last year’ third singles player, senior Jacklyn Wei, who also is a team captain.

“They were both region champions last year and this year, they are playing doubles because we got two freshman who can beat them. That’s how strong we are and it’s a luxury for our team. It’s promising for them in doubles play this season,” Chun said.

Wei also believes her team can be state champions.

“Fabi can get first in state and Luci, too,” she said. “Niv is strong and should do well. Camilla and I are playing well at doubles and I think we can make it to quarter finals at state. All that combined, we have a pretty good shot at state champions,” she said — and that doesn’t include No. 2 doubles.

Chun said in second doubles, there are “many JV girls who are challenging for those spots,” he said. “A lot of them would be on varsity on other teams. I have JV players who have lettered and won varsity matches in the past.”

Currently, junior Ava Booker and sophomore Ameera Al-Sweedy are playing second doubles.

The Huskies were slated to host region in late September. The state championship is Oct. 10-12.

“Our goal this season is to work hard and finish business,” Chun said. “Hopefully, at the end of the year, we’re buying state championship rings.” λ