From love to deuce, players run wildly back and forth until finally – the serve to determine it all. The receiver fiercely hits the ball mightily until they reach an advantage point and stay on their toes.

This year’s boys’ tennis team season officially started on March 20 as they faced their first real match against Galileo High School, where they won 6-1.

The tennis team consisted of twenty-one players: ten seniors, one junior, two sophomores, and eight freshmen. They practiced everyday from four to six p.m, Mondays through Fridays, and sometimes on Sundays.

Since the school is currently being renovated, the tennis team had to relocate to the tennis courts at Vicente and 26th Avenue to meet daily practices. Though faced with the situation of not having a place to practice at school, players still enjoyed being on the team.

“What I enjoy most about our tennis team is that we are very well-organized for a school without tennis courts.” said senior Alan Ly, who has been on the team for three years.

Despite moving to a different place, the team continued to work hard and practiced everyday. The practices were made up of some drills that helped increase and maintain endurance and stamina. These drills included running, stretching, warm-ups, returning balls, and of course, playing sets of games with each other.

They are confident that they will be able to take first this season, and they succeded.

Their preparations for the games all payed off as they finished with a perfect season.

“We have the talent to beat Lowell this year, but the guys have to work really

hard,” said coach Gregory Simmons.Like any other athlete, tennis players face some aggravating moments. They not only have to be physically trained, but also must be mentally prepared to play.

“Tennis is more of a mental sport; it can get to you a lot during matches…if you’re not cool on the head, your going to be very frustrated and it’s going to show when you’re playing,” says senior Aaron Wu, team captain.

The team was focused on redeeming themselves after last year’s unfortunate city ranking of fifth place (out of eight schools). This goal has settled in on each player’s mind, and they all strive to do their best, focusing on the win.

Obviously, the team has more than redeemed themselves; after a great win against Balboa High School in the city finals, everyone on the team modestly said, “Good game, Balboa.” Good game indeed.