HER NET WORTH IS HIDDEN GEM.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Daily News Staff Writer

Considering Nicole Williford's 55-2 girls' tennis record this season, you would think more people would know who she is. But the Quartz Hill High ace keeps quietly dominating in a low-profile sport in a low-profile area, especially for tennis.

Williford, a senior, beat teammate Patti Young 6-2, 6-0 in the Golden League individual final Monday at Palmdale High. She did not allow a game in her first two playoff wins, outscoring her opponents 24-0.

Defending champion Williford also beat Young in last year's final 6-3, 6-2. Both were undefeated in league this season.

But most prep sports fans can tell you a lot more about Clifton Herbert, Quartz Hill's football quarterback, even though Quartz Hill has not won a league game in two years.

The lack of publicity, for herself and for Quartz Hill (which is not ranked among the top 10 in the Division II poll despite its 10th straight Golden League championship), does not bother Williford.

`I don't know why (we lack attention), but it's been that way for a while, so I'm used to it,'' she said.

Williford and her teammates look to create inroads today against visiting Baldwin Park in the first round of the Division II playoffs. Matches begin at 2.

Coach Bill Leneway theorizes the playoffs represent Quartz Hill's opportunity to make some noise outside the Antelope Valley.

``Lack of respect? I guess that's partially because we haven't earned it,'' said Leneway, in his 12th year. ``We've got to win some CIF (postseason) matches.''

But Leneway takes nothing away from Williford, whose two losses came to Simi Valley's Mindi Gondrez and Burroughs' Sharrin Lyda.

``Nicole Williford is very good,'' he said. ``She practices a lot, and she plays a lot, so she's real strong. You watch her play, and you can tell she has experience and has had some lessons.''

Leneway also likes Williford's personality: ``She's pretty easygoing. She doesn't live and die for tennis, so she doesn't blow up. She's well-mannered.''

Williford, also an all-league basketball player, won't play basketball this season, deciding to concentrate on tennis. She wants to continue her tennis career in college, she said.

Williford likes to charge the net and overpower opponents. ``I'm aggressive, so my style keeps me on my toes,'' she said.

Williford has refined her game through USTA tournaments. She has been playing since she was 5. She won the recent Pacific Coast Tennis Championships (18 and under) in Bakersfield.

So as the girls' basketball team begins its season next week, Williford's time and energy is focused on the team playoffs and the Southern Section individual playoffs beginning Saturday, Nov. 21.

She wants a team trophy, and individual medal - and perhaps some well-deserved fame.

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PHOTO Although she's 55-2, Quartz Hill's Nicole Williford has not yet found the spotlight.

Jeff Goldwater/Daily News