SOUTHERN SECTION TENNIS STANDOUTS HOPE FOR GOOD DRAW.

Byline: Kevin Flavin  Staff Writer

Canyon's Missy Suarez and Lauren Tripp and Valencia's Angela Herrera have no idea what - or whom - they'll encounter today.

Suarez and Tripp, the top doubles team from Canyon, and Herrera, Valencia's best singles player, won't learn who they'll play until they show up for the first round of the Southern Section individual championships at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center in Long Beach.

They can only hope for a favorable draw.

``I have no expectations for what we're going to do,'' Suarez said. ``As Foothill League champions, I hope we get a higher seed.''

Suarez and Tripp, who won the Foothill League tournament two weeks ago despite playing together in only six doubles matches, are 5-1. Both played singles for Canyon throughout the regular season but had little hope of qualifying for the Southern Section tournament as solo acts.

Canyon coach Josh Stimac paired up what he called his ``two scrappiest players'' last season but without success. This year, Suarez and Tripp jelled.

``They had kind of known that was going to happen all season. I think they were happy about it,'' Stimac said.

Because Suarez is a risk-taker and Tripp plays conservatively, Stimac says the players complement each other well.

``They're both very fast,'' he said. ``They'll win most of their points from the baseline.''

Although they haven't played many matches together, Suarez and Tripp have not lost as a team since the Valencia tournament early in the season. They cruised through the league tournament, losing only one set to Burbank in the final match.

Tripp admits she was a bit suprised with the success she and Suarez have had but isn't worried about teams that have played together all season and have more experience.

``We just seem to click together,'' she said. ``If something's not working, then we'll try and switch things around.''

Herrera, a sophomore, is 48-11 and is only the second player from Valencia to advance to the Southern Section tournament. She also is nervous about the announcement of a morning draw. As the Foothill League's second-place finisher, she could face a tougher opponent than her Canyon counterparts.

``I'm excited, but I'm a little nervous,'' said Herrera, who helped Valencia to the second round of the Southern Section team playoffs last week before losing to Righetti of Santa Maria.

Herrera lost all three of her sets for the first time this season as the Vikings lost to Righetti 16-2.

``It was a combination of me not playing well, they were good, the cold weather and the three-hour bus ride,'' Herrera said.

Vikings coach Jeff Holen doesn't think Herrera's losses will affect her.

``She's a fighter and she's just going to keep going,'' he said. ``That's going to translate into wins in the long run.''

Holen said the only factor working against Herrera is her lack of tournament experience. Because she plays softball when she isn't playing tennis, Herrera hasn't had the opportunity to play in as many tournaments as some of her competitors. However, Herrera believes she will be successful if she serves consistently and doesn't make unforced errors.

``Hopefully, I'll come back and get far into the CIF finals,'' she said. ``I just have to play my game.''

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Angela Herrera of Valencia competes in Southern Section tournament today in Long Beach.

Eric Grigorian/Staff Photographer