"It's hard to believe that in a city as big as Pasadena, that its own high school can't find enough players to make a tennis team," Burroughs Coach Roy Bernhardt said. "That just doesn't make any sense."
The new organization also comes with an early start of league. The Bulldogs open league Monday against Arcadia and the Indians will take on Crescenta Valley on March 8.
"In the past, we have played tough teams like San Marino and Loyola in [nonleague] matches," Burbank Coach Paul McNiff said. "But this season, with the new league, we only play two matches before league.
"I would have liked to see how we would have done against those two teams because we have a pretty good team this year."
Here is a look at how the teams are shaping up:
BURBANK
The Bulldogs (11-7, 6-4 in the Foothill League a year ago) got the program headed in the right direction last season with a third-place showing in league. The team failed to make the postseason the previous season for the first time in more than 20 years.
This year's Burbank squad looks to continue that upswing, as the team returns eight players — including its two top singles and doubles contributors from last season.
"We are looking pretty good right now," McNiff said. "We kind of know where everyone is going to be playing already."
Returning is No. 1 singles player Garn Sangsuriyakul, a senior who went 26-4 during the regular season last season, earning all-league honors.
At No. 2 is his brother, Pete, a sophomore who McNiff said has improved. Playing at the No. 3 spot is freshman Arthur Karagezian, who is ranked in the United State Tennis Assn. 14s and who has a lot of tournament experience.
Holding down the top doubles spot is the returning senior team of Leo Kim and Tigran Yeremyan. The pair earned all-league honors last year.
