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Lady Flames pose triple threat at singles
The East junior beat out last year's first and second singles players, sophomore Miranda Podlas and senior Monica Vieth, in challenge matches to become the Lady Flames' top draw and give the team three legit first singles players heading into the 2007 season. Khmylev, ranked as a five-star recruit and one of the top 50 high school juniors in the country by tennisrecruiting.com, had never tried out for the team until this year.
Khmylev has an very balanced game. "She's a lot bigger and stronger than a lot of the other girls," said Vendetti. "She can hit for power from her forehand and backhand but her backhand seems to be her go-to shot. She really mixes up her serve well and can hit a flat, hard serve, slice it out wide or kick a serve (top spin serve that takes a bounce out wide when it hits the court). It's rare for a high school girl to be able to hit all three serves and mix them up like that. It's also very difficult to break her when she's serving." Khmylev should have no problem adjusting to high school tennis because she has faced some of the best players from around the country in national tournaments. This summer, she won the United States Tennis Association National Open Junior 16s title. She's also competed for the Western Region's scholastic girls team at the Empire State Games.
For now, Podlas and Vieth are at second and third singles, respectively, although Vendetti said that might change at some point during the season. "They're so evenly matched," said Vendetti. "Miranda is extremely fit from playing other sports so her movement around the court is her biggest strength. She's also a smart player. When she's in a longer rally, she's always playing the high percentage shot." "Monica is a great teammate," Vendetti continued. "All the girls love her. On the court, she's difficult to play against because she hits a hard, flat ball. She also has power similar to Olga." Vieth is co-captain with senior Kristina Lazzaro, who starts at first doubles with junior Alyssa Drozynski. Lazzaro, a first doubles exhibition player last year, has shown a ton of improvement in all facets of her game, said Vendetti. Drozynski, who started at second doubles last year, is the team's best volley player at the net. Junior Justine Rusk and eighth grader Emma Manuel are at second doubles. Rusk played at first doubles exhibition with Lazzaro last year; Manuel went 11-0 with Drozynski at second doubles and qualified for sectionals. Vendetti said Rusk and Manuel have good serves and forehands. Vendetti said both doubles teams are so good its like having two first doubles teams. Vendetti said sophomores Samantha Rowen and Priyanca Waghmarae, second doubles exhibition players last year, is the team's top exhibition duo this fall. East moves from ECIC III to II but with the talent on the team, it shouldn't matter. "I was excited about last year's team but with Olga joining us, it made us that much stronger," said Vendetti. "I wish that New York State did a team event where instead of a postseason tournament being individual based, you could progress as a team. I would like to see how we would stack up against other teams down state because I think we would do pretty well." East played a non-league match at Clarence on Tuesday but results were unavailable before The Bee went to press.
"If they play the way they're capable, I really don't see them having too much trouble in the league," said Vendetti. "They're that talented. They've set some goals - winning the division, going undefeated. All of the girls are on board." |
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