Recently promoted to Division One, the UC High Boys Tennis Team has amassed a group of dedicated and experienced players, hoping to smash expectations against a strong crop of competitors.
Having lost three graduating seniors, the Varsity Team has maintained a strong roster of returning players with minimal tweaks to their lineup. Junior Howard Truei has victory hopes for the team this year. He said, “We’re aiming to add ‘2024’ onto the boy’s teams’ banner in the gym.”
Head Coach Justin Nguyen said, “I’m a bit cautious [this season], but the players have been working really hard. I really hope they can show how much they’ve improved. Assistant Coach Janelle Aleksic said, “We have depth…. We have some very strong players and others that are quite good throughout the team; there’s not a drop-off…. I think we have a really good chance at going far this year.”
“This season, our team contends to be a lot stronger than last year. While our freshman entries are dwindling, our upperclassmen have pulled together and spent hours training to be better than ever before,” said Junior Jared Ashman. He said, “This year, our team hopes to win CIFs for Division One. Our competition will be high, as we are playing against competitive schools such as San Diego High School.”
Senior Graeson Seminoff said, “This season is definitely looking like it’s going to be the best one I’ve had yet, as we’ve greatly improved over the past few years as a whole. The competition is what excites me the most, along with being able to play more frequently.”
Last season, the team saw the addition of Sophomore Oskar Rouse and Junior Pieter Darnaud, who were part of the team’s starting singles players alongside Truei. All three were seeds at the Eastern League Tournament, with Rouse placing first and winning the title of Player of the Year. With the singles roster staying strong, the team mostly aims to sharpen communication and technique within their doubles competitors.
Nguyen said, “This year, I want to work on our doubles. Last year we lost CIFs because of our doubles so that’s what I want to work on…. Doubles need to work on their volleys and their ability to end the points.”
Truei said, “This year’s doubles teams need to work on their consistency, and the single players, with the exception of Oskar, should work on their aggression.”
The Varsity Team has been practicing year-round, attending offseason practices and training with personal coaches weekly.
A key team supporter has been Trainer Ryan Lee, who has been coaching several of the team’s doubles players, including Seminoff and Ashman.
“I love seeing them attempt a new pattern, technique, or mental strategy and seeing the lightbulb finally turn on in their game. It usually takes a few lessons to help a student unlearn old habits and ‘reinstall’ new ones that enhance their overall game, but once it clicks, there’s always a big smile on their faces,” said Lee.
Lee added, “I’ve seen them mature not just as players but as people, which has been the most fulfilling part of coaching them. I will truly miss the seniors I teach now when they leave for college.”
“The dedication to the sport is a huge strength of the team, and the players are very motivated to improve,” said Aleksic.
With clear aims and plenty of motivation, the Boys Tennis Team is set to have a promising season.