By Jerry Clark

Published: Thursday, September 27, 2012, 11:34 a.m.
Updated: Thursday, October 18, 2012

Chuck Mura and his Shaler Lady Titans tennis team have been road warriors this season while the new courts at Shaler are being completed.

The team is led by No. 1 singles player Larissa Guering, a sophomore who has cracked the top spot — a rare thing for a sophomore to do, according to Mura.

“That usually happens for me about once a decade,” said Mura, who is the longest-tenured coach at Shaler, having been at his post more than 30 years. “She gets private lessons and is maturing. She is a very good player, and a good No. 1 for us.”

Guering is a former gymnast, so she brings athleticism to the court and plays a baseline game, according to her coach.

At the No. 2 spot is junior Michaela Golden, a player who has worked hard and is a good athlete who earned that spot, according to Mura.

At No. 3 singles is senior Kristel Chatellier, last year's No. 1.

“Kristel has the ability to play all over for us,” Mura said. “She is a good athlete and very steady.”

Fellow senior Kristen Rost is a softball player who came over to tennis, and Mura calls her the best athlete on the team. She can play singles or doubles.

A pair of lacrosse players make up one of the doubles teams: Courtney Ambrozic and Andra Ladanc have done well against section opposition, falling only to Shady Side Academy and Fox Chapel.

“They both are very good athletes,” Mura said. “I will split them up for section doubles (and they are not happy about it), but I am putting a first-year doubles player in.”

Carrie Vojtas is a hard worker who will see action in that spot. She was a junior varsity player who worked her way up.

Mura and his team also took part in a breast cancer awareness game this week where the coach bought some pink tennis balls, and the team will wear pink attire to raise awareness for the disease. Mura hopes that will continue to take place in years to come.

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