As the majority of fall sports come to a conclusion, the final games, playoffs, and tournaments are held. Many of our fall teams have flourished during this period, while others hope for a better outcome next year.

One team that has had a tremendous and eventful season is varsity girls tennis. 

With training beginning in the summer, the team has continuously worked their way close to a divisional title as they won their league, had many players go to sectional finals and tournaments, and nearly won their entire division.

Captain Jordan Cheng states that initially the team did have some issues, but were able to get over these short-lived struggles with much success.

“The season was very successful overall,” Cheng said. “We definitely faced some challenges along the way, but I am proud that we were able to overcome them together and win the league title.”

After winning the league last year, Cheng originally had her doubts about securing a league championship once again. However, she was happy with her teammates and herself once they acquired this grand victory. 

“Before the season started, I was doubtful that we could win league for a second time in a row,” Cheng said. “When we [won] league championships, I was surprised, but also proud.”

Before each match, the team would strategize and create a plan based on their opposing team’s skill level and play style. Cheng believes this greatly contributed to the success they had this season. 

“We were always able to create a game plan and formulated strategies before we faced each school,” Cheng said. “I think this strategizing, along with a really strong lineup, was the key to our overall success.”

Salma Aboukhadra, Cheng’s co-captain who went undefeated this year, attributed the teams’ success to the renewed sense of camaraderie and positivity felt throughout the group, as well as from external supporters.

“Ultimately, tennis is a mental game – and this year this was definitely something all of us improved on,” Aboukhadra said. “And the support from other team members, parents, and Coach Bacchi was definitely a key for success for our team.”

Many girls on the team worked to improve their skills individually by working hard both inside and out of practice. Aboukhadra believes the conditioning that took place over the summer especially helped the team ready for competition.

“A lot of the girls this year worked really hard during [the] off season and especially during the summer to build up skills,” Aboukhadra said. “And [the] conditioning we did over the summer and through the season allowed the team to be in better shape overall.” 

Lane Bacchi, the tennis coach of four years, was greatly pleased with the players’ performance in playoffs; even when facing more challenging teams.

“I was really impressed with the team all throughout playoffs,” Bacchi said. “We definitely met some good competition, but all the girls really showed out.”

The team barely lost to the number one team in previous divisional champs, Vanden. However, they still won a plaque and other awards to commemorate their second place finish.

“We narrowly lost 4-5” Bacchi said. “The team was awarded a section championship runner-up plaque. And each of the girls got a Sac Joaquin Section patch for making the finals.”

Regardless of the result, Bacchi was very happy with the progress the girls had made this season. Their success has made this year truly unforgettable for him.

“It’s pretty epic, especially since the girls tennis team or tennis program hasn’t really done very well in playoffs in a long time,” Bacchi said. “It’s probably been my most memorable season thus far, just because of all the things we were able to accomplish.”

Bacchi believes that throughout his years here as a coach, both he and the players have grown. Players have gotten more comfortable with the team and many have become leaders for all.

“My first two years I was here, we were slowly building the program and whatnot,” Bacchi said. “And, I think I’ve gotten better as a coach, and some of the players have really stepped up [into] .leadership roles.”

Although the girls varsity tennis team just came short of securing a divisional championship, their runner-up position in the finals truly displayed the resolute determination and hard work that they had all put into the season.

“The challenging moments we had, how the girls learned to work with one another, [and] all the trials and tribulations really put us in for success towards the end,” Bacchi said. “So, I would not change anything.”