As fall sports hit their peak, the tennis program has continued to rally together through an exciting and competitive season. With new coaches and weekly matches, both the JV and varsity teams have worked diligently and hard to build stronger chemistry between players and to strengthen their game.
Practices are held Monday through Thursday from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the College of San Mateo tennis courts, followed by weight training on Friday in the NDB weight room.
The varsity team, now coached by newcomer Dave Tyler, has been working consistently to progress in their season.
On the varsity team, the season so far has had a mix of both growth and challenges. The team has faced tough competition, but what has remained constant is the attitude and effort that each player has demonstrated on the court.
With so much of their roster having graduated last May, many players had to step up to the varsity team and take their position by playing singles, instead of doubles.
“The toughest challenge this season is adjusting to playing singles on varsity because I played doubles on varsity last year,” said varsity player and senior Brooke True. “So, it’s a very big difference when a singles lady steps up. So, I’ve had to adjust to learning new skills and learning new strategies to play as a singles player.”
The JV team is coached by Stella Mutya ‘18, who has guided these athletes in developing new skills as well as in offering advice on strategies during matches.
As the season continues, both teams are working hard to compete. Their games usually take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Balancing schoolwork and competition, players have found a rhythm that keeps the energy high throughout the week.
One highlight of the season came when the team traveled to the annual California Girls’ Tennis Classic tournament in Clovis, California. The tournament brought together teams across the state, and NDB finished strong with the varsity team finishing in third place.
“We lost a few seniors last year, so it’s a very different team on varsity,” added True.
“But, we have all grown super close very quickly, especially with the Clovis tennis tournament that everyone went to. The tournament was super fun, and it was an opportunity for everyone to grow closer.”
This season also marks a few exciting changes within the new coaching staff. The addition of an assistant coach has brought valuable new energy and experience to the program.
As the season comes to an end, the Tigers’ goal remains clear: to stay focused, work together and represent NDB with pride both on and off the court. All of these student-athletes’ commitment to practice, conditioning and teamwork has been evident in building a program based on dedication.
“One piece of advice I give my teammates before our matches is to have fun, stay positive and work hard to do your best,” said True.
With only a few matches left in the season, both the NDB JV and varsity tennis teams continue to serve up effort, enthusiasm and Tiger spirit one game at a time.
