The girls tennis team is starting another season, and has already played three games, beating Mission 5-0, Balboa 6-1 and barely losing 4-3 to Lowell, their biggest rival.  Last year, the team was fourth in the league. Despite a successful season and making it all the way to the playoffs, they lost their final playoff game to the Lowell Cardinals. Senior May Chen says that this year their goal is to make it to the playoffs yet again, and although they really want to beat Lowell, they are aiming for second or third. The players are building up their team after the departure of the seniors, but Chen is hopeful, nothing that, “we have a few players who have a lot of potential!” The team practices from Monday to Friday after-school until 4:30, doing everything from drills and conditioning to practicing the fundamentals of tennis. The team’s 16 members are a mixture of new and returning players, but most are returning. Clark Soave, a science teacher, has been coaching the team for 15 years and enjoys it because “we usually get smart and dedicated players that are very coach-able!”

     There are seven total teams in the league: Wallenberg, Lowell, Mission, Lincoln, Galileo, Balboa and Washington. Four teams will make the playoffs. Their second victory against Mission brought the team one step closer to the playoffs, which begin November 2.  Senior Shirley Zhang has been on the team for three years, and plays the fourth singles position of the team. She thinks what makes the team worthwhile is that, “it’s fun and exciting, and the coaches are amusing!” She likes to play tennis because it relieves stress and helps with hand-eye coordination. The team members have good chemistry and are like a family. “They are awesome, supportive and optimistic!” Shirley exclaimed.  In Zhang’s opinion, the tennis team is for everyone who just wants to have fun and play tennis, and at the same time learning how to play better and do well in the competition. Their next game is on October 6 against Wallenberg at Golden Gate Park at      3.30pm.