The dark clouds appeared ominous on the afternoon of Oct. 5 when the girls’ tennis team set out to play their longtime rival Monta Vista High. Yet even the depressing skies and a few light sprinkles would not hinder the team from defeating their opponents 5-2.
With half of the league season over as of Oct. 5, the outlook to a CCS championship repeat remains bright.
“I cannot remember the last time Saratoga tennis has started a season 12-0,” said head coach Tom Uyehara.
The win against Monta Vista can boost the entire team’s confidence to win CCS, said junior Sarah Lum, who plays No. 1 doubles with junior Lisa Asai.
Changes in the team’s lineup have improved chances of further success. Junior Crystal Yen has been moved up to the No. 2 singles spot, trading places with senior co-captain Catherine Nguyen, who now plays No. 3 singles.
Both Nguyen and Yen are great players, but Yen has had more success lately against the top players in and out of the league, said Uyehara.
Since they emerged as the champions of the 112-team Peachtree tournament in Fresno in early September, the team did not face any serious challenges until they played Monta Vista.
“I was really happy [about the win against Monta Vista] because in previous seasons it has been really hard for us to secure a victory,” said senior co-captain Mary Edman. “[This] being my senior year [made it] extra special.”
However, this year even the opponents did not seem as tough as expected, said Yen, who defeated Monta Vista senior Vynnie Kong 6-0, 6-1.
“I wasn’t too excited [when we won] because it wasn’t as intense [as in the last few years].”
Injuries and sickness have affected the team. The day before the Monta Vista game, No. 2 doubles player sophomore Niharika Bedekar rolled her ankle and No. 3 doubles player freshman Usha Raman hurt her wrist. Still, both managed to play in their matches.
Saratoga had a bye for league matches on Oct. 12, giving the players time to recover. Saratoga played Monta Vista for the second time in a home game on Oct. 26, but due to printing deadlines, the game could not be covered in this issue.
