After going winless in the Mission Division last year, the girls’ tennis team was moved to the Cypress Division of the PCAL, where they have thrived so far, going 6-2 through eight matches.
A change made this year was new coach, Denise Zazueta Aispuro, who assisted last year. Zazueta is hoping for the team to win enough matches to move back to Mission division or higher. As for her players, she hopes that they can continue to improve.“It’s also good to lose to learn from their mistakes,” she said.
An additional goal for this upcoming season is to start fundraising so that the team can get more and better equipment. The team hopes to raise enough money to afford uniforms for the entire team. “As of right now we don’t have enough jerseys for all the girls and everyone needs to be included,” Zazueta said. She also wants new tennis rackets for everyone, and to fix the broken tennis net.
The varsity team consists of 10 returning players – seniors Yesenia Alfaro, Lillian Lopez, Emily Lopez, Daniela Ochoa; and juniors Teresa Ochoa, Yumalay Ramirez, Marisol Botello, Jazlene Meza, and Marisol Mederos. Also joining varsity this season is senior Aileen Cardenas. It’s her first year playing doubles for the team. “She’s doing really good,” Zazueta said.
Senior Captain, and third year returning player, Yesenia Alfaro has high hopes for the ongoing season. “We don’t give up,” she said. “Like last year, once we did bad with one set we would give up in the next sets, but this year I’ve seen the girls going to tiebreakers and that means that they’re showing more effort.” Alfaro wants to see the team qualify for CCS.
Returning player Emily Lopez has also noticed great growth this season. “I improved a lot from last year, I went from exhibition to singles, I always wanted to play singles and I’ve enjoyed it,” she said.
“I’m glad that they are finally winning because last year they were very bummed that they never really won as a team,” Zazueta said. “It gives the new players motivation.”
