Tennis
South Fork’s Kate Ensor headlines TCPalm’s 2024 Girls Tennis All-Area Team
Whether ending long droughts, returning to glory after a brief absence or reaching the mountaintop for the first time, area girls tennis teams were no strangers to trophies and medals this past season.
Three area teams — Jensen Beach, South Fork and Master’s Academy — each reign above their respective districts, with a couple of those programs making noise at the state level.
While not winning a district title, Jensen Beach knocked off most opponents who dared to stand on the other side of the net. The Falcons earned a berth into the regional tournament with a deep lineup.
Several other local players made a name for themselves during the regular season to contribute to a competitive and exciting season on the court across the Treasure Coast. See which players were the best of the best as TCPalm continued its celebration of the spring’s top athletes.
Spring All-Area: Vero Beach’s Mason Cisco headlines TCPalm’s 2024 Boys Tennis All-Area Team
Spring All-Area: Find out who were the best local beach volleyball tandems
More: Treasure Coast coaches split on FHSAA approving NIL Law for Florida high school sports
Player of the Year
Kate Ensor, South Fork
Year: Senior
Highlights: Ensor put forth quite the debut season, as the freshman compiled a combined record of 25-6 while serving as the engine behind South Fork’s first district title since 1996. The team finished with a 17-3 team mark following a regional final appearance. Claiming district titles at first singles and first doubles with fellow senior Bliss Weiler, Ensor reached the Class 3A state quarterfinals in both.
Coach of the Year
Nick Streibick, Master’s Academy
Highlights: Streibick led Master’s Academy to heights it hasn’t seen before. En route to a 15-2 overall record, the Patriots captured their first district title in program history after outlasting Benjamin 16-15 before later dispatching the Buccaneers to qualify for the Class 1A state meet. They knocked off Berkeley Prep in the state quarterfinals before suffering defeat to St. Andrew’s in the semifinal round.
Girls Tennis All-Area First Team
Lauren Cisco, Vero Beach
Year: Freshman
Highlights: Standing across from the best the opponent has to offer, Cisco was a steady presence at the top of the Indians lineup. The freshman had a combined record of 14-10 after playing all of her matches at No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles while helping Vero Beach capture the District 10-4A title.
Valerie Gomez, Jensen Beach
Year: Junior
Highlights: Gomez is the first of three girls selected from a Falcons team that went 12-5 and was the District 13-2A runner-up. She finished with a combined record of 20-5 at No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles, which includes a pair of singles victories over Ensor. The junior started the season with 11 consecutive wins in singles competition.
Lucy Mayer, Jensen Beach
Year: Sophomore
Highlights: The youngest Falcon to make the All-Area team was most impressive against her star counterparts. Between singles and doubles competition, Mayer was 9-1 in matches that featured All-Area players. She finished 19-11 overall.
Sarah Schoppe, Jensen Beach
Year: Senior
Highlights: No Falcon was responsible for more wins than the team’s lone senior. Schoppe was dominant near the top of the lineup, going 11-1 at No. 2 singles and teaming with Gomez to an 8-2 mark at No. 1 doubles. She finished 25-4 overall.
Christine Stoyanova, Fort Pierce Central
Year: Senior
Highlights: Stoyanova returns to the All-Area team after being selected to the squad last year. Once again at No. 1 all season, the reliable Cobras senior went 15-7 in all matches.
Lacey Tanner, Master’s Academy
Year: Senior
Highlights: The only senior on a team otherwise filled with middle schoolers, Tanner served as an experienced leader for the state-bound Patriots. Tanner was 6-3 at No. 1 singles, but she performed best in doubles action, as she paired with Addison Trotter to a state-quarterfinal win.
Addison Trotter, Master’s Academy
Year: Sophomore
Highlights: Speaking of Trotter, the sophomore earned a district title at second singles. She was undefeated at that place of the lineup at 5-0 and was 13-4 overall. Trotter and Tanner were also the district runner-up.
Emma Trotter, Master’s Academy
Year: Eighth-grader
Highlights: Another district champion out of the Patriots lineup is the youngest member of the All-Area team. Emma Trotter captured district crowns at No. 3 singles and No. 2 doubles alongside Alena Yancy. The eighth-grader posted a team-best mark of 21-5.
Sofia Varon, Treasure Coast
Year: Senior
Highlights: The Titans captain earned her second straight All-Area team selection in as many years as Treasure Coast’s best player closed her prep career with an 18-6 record.
Honorable Mention
Jordan Athalis, Treasure Coast junior
Lily Cobb, Okeechobee senior
Olivia DeGaetano, South Fork sophomore
Lily Della Porta, Vero Beach junior
Aubrey Higgins, Vero Beach freshman
Lauren Kelly, Martin County freshman
Alexandria Marcum, Jensen Beach sophomore
Cassidy Olea, Vero Beach junior
Reese Richardson, Jensen Beach sophomore
Allie Slavens, Martin County freshman
Kamryn Tullier, South Fork junior
Gretchen Whitman, Fort Pierce Central senior
Alena Yancy, Master’s Academy eighth grader
Bliss Weiler, South Fork senior
Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for Treasure Coast Newspapers. He can be reached at 772-985-9692, on X at @PatBernadeau or via email at pbernadeau@gannett.com.