New faces and new beginnings for Cyclones

With a new season comes new beginnings. The women’s tennis team has plenty of new faces, including a new head coach, to put forth strong winning efforts in 2017.

Leading the crew is Mike Giordano, a former All-Conference Cyclone tennis player (2010-12) and women’s tennis assistant coach. He has coached the Oak Lawn High School boys’ tennis team for the last five years as well. His familiarity with the Cyclone culture will be a benefit to this team of mostly newcomers, and he’s ready to go.

“I’m excited and happy to be back coaching at Moraine Valley. I haven’t coached women since I was an assistant here (2010-12), so I’ll make adjustments,” Giordano said. “I think I’m meant to be here.”

Last season the Cyclones went 3-4 overall, but had some standout players including the lone returners Ana Karen Lagunas (Bremen) and LeAnn Peschel (Oak Lawn). Lagunas was an All-NJCAA Region IV and All-Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference player, finishing her freshman year at the national tournament with her teammate Alexis Kasper. Peschel was an All-Conference player. Both will step up to lead the new crew that includes Jasmine Abunaim (Sandburg), Michelle Ambriz (Argo), Audrey Stocklen (Shepard), and Mary Stocklen (Shepard).

In pre-season, the team worked on footwork and conditioning to prepare for competition. Although it’s his first year heading the women’s team, Giordano has aspirations to bring home a region championship whether it’s this year or in the near future. And of course, he also wants his team to enjoy playing college sports.

“I think our main focus in my first year here is to have a good experience and come back next year,” Giordano said. “I do hope to bring a regional championship home. It may not happen in my first year, but I’ll do the best I can to put them in the best position to win.”