Fossil Ridge girls tennis routinely among state’s best
For a high school that has been in existence for less than a dozen years, Fossil Ridge in Fort Collins has developed a quick reputation in athletic arenas.
Nowhere is that more evident than on the tennis court. The Sabercats have not only qualified for the Class 5A girls state tennis tournament in each of their 11 seasons, save for the school’s first year when the entire student population consisted of freshmen, they have finished in the top five. That includes four second-place finishes in the team race.
Much of the credit goes to the program’s coach for each of its 11 seasons, Mike Scimeca.
He developed a mission statement from the outset.
“Our goal was, we wanted to build a competitive program,” Scimeca said.
Realizing that there were a number of girls tennis programs in the state with rich histories, his first challenge was to develop desire.
“To do that, we knew we had to create passion,” he said.
He’s had solid numbers since he began the program. To help promote competition within the team, Scimeca typically rotates 18 players for his 11 varsity spots during the regular season. By doing that, more than half his team routinely letters by the end of the season.
His second challenge was to nurture his players’ skills.
“I’m a big technique guy, more along the college lines,” Scimeca said.
It also helps to have talented players who are motivated to improve their game on their own. Nearly a dozen of this year’s players work on their game year round.
Heading that list is Shawnea Pagat. A junior, she’s played No. 1 singles her entire high school career.
She got a good head start on the game, growing up in Hawaii until her family moved to Fort Collins five years ago.
“I started really young,” she said.
She could play 12 months a year. In addition, she realized, “It was something I was good at.”
Pagat had the added bonus of having her teammate, Kaitlyn Motley, to hit against on a daily basis in practice.
“She was a phenomenal tennis player,” said Pagat of Motley, who graduated last spring. “We pushed each other.”
Although singles tennis is often considered an individual sport, high school programs foster a team attitude.
“(Our success) is really cool because of our work ethic,” Pagat said. “Everyone wants to play. It’s just creasting that motivation, which is awesome.”
At under 5-foot-3, Pagat has found ways to compensate for her reach disadvantage against most opponents.
“I’ve hear that I’m pretty quick on the court,” she said modestly.
She uses that to her advantage.
“I try to run every ball down,” she said.
Pagat, one of the team’s year-round players, competes in USTA tournaments in the off-season, including a sectional tournament in Las Vegas last fall. That’s helped her improve on every aspect of her game.
“I’ve come a long way since my freshman year,” she said. “As I look back, I had to change everything – my grip, my backhand, my serve. I did everything wrrong.
“Looking back, I said, ‘Really, you did that?” she joked of reviewing past video.
Admittedly, the state tournament atmosphere was a little intimidating for her during her freshman season.
“I was freaking out,” she said of being overwhelmed at the Gates Tennis Center.
She took that lesson into last year’s state tournament.
“You can’t let the pressure get to you,” she said.
As for this year, “I would love to make it to the final four (at state),” she said of one of the goals she’s set entering the season.
That’s realistic for both her and for the Sabercats team, which always seems to be near the top of the team standings by the time the state tournament has wrapped up.
Girls tennis preview
5A
Defending champion: Cherry Creek
Postseason: Regionals completed by May 2
Championships: May 7-9, Gates Tennis Center (Denver)
Returning all-state players: Tate Schroeder, Arapahoe, junior; Rebecca Weissman, Loveland, junior; Madeline Roberts, Cherry Creek, senior; Hanna Fernley, Cherry Creek, junior; Jessie Murphy, Cherry Creek, senior; Jessica Diamond, Cherry Creek, senior.
4A
Defending champion: Cheyenne Mountain
Postseason: Regionals completed by May 2
Championships: May 7-9, Pueblo City Park
Returning all-state players: Kalyssa Hall, Cheyenne Mountain, junior; Alex Weil, St. Mary’s Academy, senior; Caitie McCarthy, Pueblo West, junior; Casey Ahrendsen, Cheyenne Mountain, sophomore; Ally Arenson, Cheyenne Mountain, sophomore; Tory Louis, Cheyenne Mountain, senior; Claire Dibble, Cheyenne Mountain, sophomore; Megan Dibble, Cheyenne Mountain, senior; Chelsey Geisz, Cheyenne Mountain, junior.
