Girls’ tennis: Team changes coaches but stays second in the league

After a Sept. 25 loss to Monta Vista, coach Ashvin Soin announced two days later that he would step down as head coach of the girls’ tennis team for unstated personal reasons. Assistant coach Florin Marica decided on Oct. 3 to take the position with Jonathan Chui as the new assistant coach.

Marica has been giving lessons on the Saratoga courts for years and has become a prominent figure in the local tennis community. 

“I think Florin is a great addition to the team,” No. 4 singles player sophomore Arathi Sabada said. “[He] has all the necessary expertise to lead the team. He has a great sense of strategy and gives helpful advice.” 

No. 3 singles player sophomore Smita Sabada agreed. 

“Because we already know him so well, we are comfortable around him rather than having a complete new stranger [as] coach,” she said.  

Near the end of the league season, the team remains second in the De Anza League after dominant Monta Vista.

“I think we’ve really progressed as a team,” captain senior Niharika Bedekar said. “Our doubles teams have gotten stronger, and we’ve gotten used to playing with each other. We’re finally starting to act like a team.”

The girls won 5-2 against both Los Altos on Oct. 9 and Milpitas on Oct. 11. 

Despite the absence of No. 1 singles player junior Kalyani Narayan on Oct. 2 and Oct. 4, the team defeated Mountain View 5-2 and Palo Alto 4-3.

The team lost 6-1 to Monta Vista on Sept. 25. The lone win came from Arathi Sabada, who won 6-1, 7-5 against junior Jenna McGuirk. The No. 3 doubles team of sophomore Sonal Pai and freshman Shaya Nikfar lost a close first set 7-5 to Monta Vista junior Sabrina Mui and sophomore Nicole Stomakhin. 

As of Oct. 15, the team has an overall record of 11-5 and a 9-1 record in the league.  

“I’m really proud that we’re [9-1] even though it is a rebuilding season,” Bedekar said. “We’re still at the same level as we were last year.”

The girls faced Monta Vista for the second time at home on Oct. 18 for the team’s senior day. Their last league match will take place at Mountain View on Oct. 25.