Tennis Bounces Back in New Division
Girls’ tennis is focused on developing younger players in a lower league
By Katherine Rowe
Girls’ tennis is focused on developing younger players in a lower league
By Katherine Rowe
This season, the girls’ tennis team has moved back down to the Santa Teresa division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League after they tied for last place in the Mt. Hamilton division last year.
Coach Seth Hein made the decision to move the team back down after losing seven varsity players, leaving the squad with only three returning girls. With this move, he is preparing the team to face new opponents in this division by slowly rebuilding and working up their skills from the fundamentals of the game, drilling them in through emphasis during practice and play.
“My goal is to make every player better than when they first came to me,” Hein said. “I want them to learn the basics and progress throughout the season. Match play is going to help them learn what works and what doesn’t work.”
Acknowledging the struggles with having a younger team, Jenny Mizota, 11, aims to be a role model and a friend to the younger players on the team, as they are still learning how to play the sport and develop their sense of the game.
“There are only three of us returning to varsity, which leaves seven girls who haven’t played as much. It has been challenging, but with practice and matches, the girls have been able to adapt and have been working hard,” Mizota said. “As one of the captains, I feel like it is important to communicate with the team and support them throughout the season.”
Returning player Brianna Wagener, 11, is concerned about the loss of players coming into this season, but she is optimistic about the chance to further develop her expertise with the rest of the team as well as on a personal scale.
“I’m looking forward to getting better and learning new skills this tennis season,” Wagener said. “My goals are to just keep getting better, trying my best and getting to know the others on the team.”
Since there are only a few returning varsity players, the main focus is on the younger players to help them increase their skills and become pivotal players in the team as they inevitably improve with more experience.
The girls’ tennis team will be playing in the BVAL tournament on Oct. 28, Oct. 30 and Nov. 2.
Coach Seth Hein made the decision to move the team back down after losing seven varsity players, leaving the squad with only three returning girls. With this move, he is preparing the team to face new opponents in this division by slowly rebuilding and working up their skills from the fundamentals of the game, drilling them in through emphasis during practice and play.
“My goal is to make every player better than when they first came to me,” Hein said. “I want them to learn the basics and progress throughout the season. Match play is going to help them learn what works and what doesn’t work.”
Acknowledging the struggles with having a younger team, Jenny Mizota, 11, aims to be a role model and a friend to the younger players on the team, as they are still learning how to play the sport and develop their sense of the game.
“There are only three of us returning to varsity, which leaves seven girls who haven’t played as much. It has been challenging, but with practice and matches, the girls have been able to adapt and have been working hard,” Mizota said. “As one of the captains, I feel like it is important to communicate with the team and support them throughout the season.”
Returning player Brianna Wagener, 11, is concerned about the loss of players coming into this season, but she is optimistic about the chance to further develop her expertise with the rest of the team as well as on a personal scale.
“I’m looking forward to getting better and learning new skills this tennis season,” Wagener said. “My goals are to just keep getting better, trying my best and getting to know the others on the team.”
Since there are only a few returning varsity players, the main focus is on the younger players to help them increase their skills and become pivotal players in the team as they inevitably improve with more experience.
The girls’ tennis team will be playing in the BVAL tournament on Oct. 28, Oct. 30 and Nov. 2.