Lakewood Ranch's Gia Cohen will make solo trip to girls state tennis tournament

LAKEWOOD RANCH -- The Lakewood Ranch High School girls tennis team found out building a new future takes some time.

Missing most of the key pieces from last year's state championship squad, the girls made a run at returning to the state tournament, but came up short, losing 4-1 to visiting Tampa Plant in the Class 4A-Region 4 final on Thursday.

The doubles matches were canceled because the match's outcome was already determined.

"They are a very good team. They are going to be pretty tough to beat at states," Lakewood Ranch head coach Ed Bongart said. "We've got some strong players and young players. We should have our top core back, and we will give it another shot next year. Other than at No. 1, we got beat (today) at every position."

Despite its youth and inexperience with two freshmen, a sophomore and a junior in the top four, Lakewood Ranch won a district title and made it to the region final in a rebuilding year.

The only winner for Lakewood Ranch Thursday was freshman Gia Cohen, who won her No. 1 singles match 6-1, 6-0 over Alexandra Kallisch. Cohen is the only Mustang going to states Monday in Altamonte Springs: She won the district title at No. 1 singles.

Despite the disappointment, Bongart said the loss will make the girls better.

"There was a lot of experience to be gained out here just in those last two matches," Bongart said. "Grace there at the end started to feel the pressure of being on a team. When you are playing for a team it's a totally different experience."

Lakewood Ranch's other freshman, Grace Hagopian, lost at No. 3 singles 6-3, 6-1 to Chandler Harmon. Sophomore Natalia Vuckovic lost at No. 2 singles 6-0, 6-1 to Monica Phipps. Sara Benson lost at No. 4 singles to Margo Phipps 6-2, 6-1 and Jessie Kroupa lost at No. 5 singles 6-0, 6-0 to Lauren Williams'

"It's different when you are playing on a team and not just for yourself like in USTA. You know when you don't perform well you are not just letting down yourself you are letting down four or five or six girls," Bongart said. "It's definitely tougher to play for a team whether its high school or college. There is a whole different pressure."

The Mustangs won the Class 3A state championship last year with Ashley Bongart and Lauren Proctor at the No. 1 and 2 spots. Coach Bongart said this team has the potential to be as good, but needs time.

There were some mixed feelings for Cohen, who is happy to be making her maiden voyage to states, but disappointed about going alone.

"I am happy with our team. It's disappointing we lost today, but it's OK," Cohen said. "I knew we were going to do well this season, but didn't know the outcome. I felt pressure from last year because I wanted to do it again (win states)."

Bongart paid Cohen a high compliment saying she is just as strong as his daughter, Ashley, who is now at Tennessee. Proctor is at Winthrop.

"It's hard to make people understand what the loss of Proctor meant to this team. Lauren was probably the second-best player in the state and probably the best doubles player in the state," Bongart said. "This is a little different makeup but that's how it is and I am very proud of these girls and looking forward to the next few years with Gia, Grace and Natalia. This loss hurts them, they are new to it. But they will bounce back."

Alan Dell, Herald sports columnist/writer, can be reached at 941-745-7056. Follow him on Twitter @ADellSports

This story was originally published April 7, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Lakewood Ranch's Gia Cohen will make solo trip to girls state tennis tournament ."