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Alexis Gonzalez
Vitals: Bullard, freshman
She’s qualified because: A second-team Bee All-Star in tennis in the fall, the player better known as “Pookie” went unbeaten during the regular season before defeating Clovis’ Chiara Nardocci 11-2, 11-5 for the section individual tournament title.
She said it: “She joined an elite group of Bullard singles players and soared to fantastic heights. Pookie is one of those athletes who listens to your critiques, corrects her mistakes immediately and remembers them forever.” Knights coach Natalie Teague.
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2009 Girls Badminton All-Star Team
Mai Thao grew to 5 feet this year. "I finally reached that height," the Clovis East High senior says. "I'm so excited."
Little things do that for The Bee's badminton Player of the Year.
"She's extraordinary, a bowl full of jelly," Timberwolves coach Janine Sodersten says of the athlete who went 17-3 while powering Clovis East to the Central Section team championship. "She's such an upbeat kid, the one that gets everybody motivated."
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Confidential Secretary
Toni Wooten is the confidential secretary for the newsroom. She joined The Bee in September 1995.
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Katherine Biehle
Year: Senior
School: Golden West
She's qualified because: Had 69 goals, 41 steals and 32 assists in All-WYL season. Scored on 74% of her shots, won 27 of 29 sprints and had a season- high seven goals against Hanford West.
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Sammie Battles
Vitals: Buchanan, junior
She’s qualified because: A three-year varsity player who’s been the Bears’ No. 1 singles player for the past two, she went 14-2, losing only to Bee Player of the Year Mai Thao of Clovis East and Bullard All-Star Alexis Gonzales.
She said it: “She was a power player with intelligence behind it. The fact she’s a volleyball player helped her quickness and agility. She’s diving for shots, skinning her knees up. Basically, she was an animal on the court, letting nothing get by her.” Clovis East coach Janine Sodersten
Vitals: Clovis, sophomore
She’s qualified because: She’s a two-year No. 1 singles player and straight-A student who placed second in the section individual tournament.
He said it: “She is respected by all her teachers and is by far the best player on our team. The team looks at her to set the tone of the practice/game. When Chiara believes in Chiara, she is almost unbeatable.” — Cougars coach Thad Crews.
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2009 Girls Badminton All-Star Team
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