For Turlock and Pitman High, the tennis season in the Central California Conference is right around the corner.
Each side is ultra-competitive in a very tough CCC but it is Turlock that stands alone, having won seven consecutive league titles.
“This could be the eighth year,” Turlock head coach Linda Bejaran said of possibly winning the CCC. “I am proud of our team. They work hard and support each other. When they step on the court, I know they will give it 100 percent.”
Turlock returns nearly half of their team, and will be mixing them in some newcomers on the squad.
“With our returning players and our new players we should be very competitive and strong,” Bejaran said.
This year, however, the focus is strictly on the team and nothing more.
“Our goal is to put the team first. There are no individuals on our team. We win as a team. Team trumps all,” Bejaran added. “We don't have a set ladder yet. Our team is looking forward to working hard, supporting one another and most importantly being a team that demonstrates good sportsmanship on the court and off.”
Pitman comes off a 4-6 season in the CCC last year, which placed the Pride in fourth place.
Playing in the shadow of Turlock, the Pride are impatiently waiting the start of the 2015 season where they get a fresh start to possibly dethrone their crosstown rivals.
Adding fresh face star in Abi Wilson previously of Denair, should provide some stability at the number one spot for head coach Doug Reimers.
“Abi is phenomenal,” Reimers said. “I have not had a player like her in some time. She is a fantastic player.”
Assisting Wilson will be Ashlynne Smith and Gabbie Soria, who have made some great impressions on Reimers.
“Both are playing their best tennis and they will make us stronger,” Reimers said of the two. “We have some great players on the team. No predictions; my goal as a coach is to help every one of my players improve and understand the game better.”
Pitman's first match will be a scrimmage at home against Downey at 3 p.m. Tuesday.
The first match for the Turlock Bulldogs will at Gregori at 3 p.m. Tuesday.
