It's been 15 years since Porterville College last fielded a women's tennis team. But 2019 makes the return of tennis to the college as well as the program's last head coach.
Kurt Nielsen, coach of the Pirates from 1999-2004, is also back. He has the task of rebuilding the program that was halted prior to the start of the 2005 season.
Resurrecting an athletic program is always tough. New teams usually have trouble attracting players and fielding competitive teams. But Nielsen was encouraged by the teams' early turnout.
"We had 12-13 enrolled Porterville College students express interest from our local high schools. But due to scheduling conflicts, our first team includes nine student-athletes from Tehachapi, Monache, Strathmore, and Porterville high schools. This is still a strong turnout for a new team beginning the middle of a school year."
Nielsen, who has also coached the girl's tennis team at Porterville High School for the last 19 years, was able to attract top level talent to join him at PC. His 2019 Pirates squad is loaded with experienced players who have enjoyed championship success at the varsity level.
"We know our first season will be tough," said Nielsen. "But with five players who were No. 1 or No. 2 on their respective high school teams, we feel we will battle hard and compete with anyone."
From Tehachapi High School, Eileen Counihan-Rooney was No. 1 her junior and senior years. She was a runner-up in the South Yosemite League Singles Championships.
Raquel Calo of Monache High School was No. 2 her senior year and helped Monache win two EYL Championships. She was also the EYL Doubles runner-up.
From Porterville High School, Viviana Meza played No. 1 her junior and senior years, leading Porterville to a pair of EYL Championships.
Claire Nuno, also out of Porterville High, was No. 1 her senior year. She won two EYL Doubles Championships and was the 2017 Orange Belt Player of the Year.
Neelam Aziz and Vanessa Chavez round out the PHS quartet. Aziz was a three-year varsity starter and played No. 4 her senior year while Chavez was #6 her senior year and went undefeated in doubles her final season.
Zoe Vasquez out of Strathmore High School was No. 2 her senior year and was part of the East Sequoia League third-place doubles team. Also from Strathmore, Annabelle Rivera played No. 4 her senior year and Samantha Gonzalez who was No. 6 as a senior.
The team will get its first taste of collegiate action starting on Feb. 1 when the Pirates take a weekend trip up to the Sacramento area. PC plays at Sierra College in its season opener on Friday at 2 p.m. followed by a 10 a.m. match at American River College on Saturday (Feb. 2).
Porterville plays its first seven matches on the road, including its Big 8 South Conference opener on Feb. 12 at Modesto Junior College. The Pirates will play on their home court for the first time on Feb. 22, hosting Bakersfield College in a non-conference match at 2 p.m.