Shout out to the Sierra Linda Girls Tennis for a successful year and an expanded, optimistic team. From running, serving, playing Forehand and Backhand to the friendship and bond they have with tennis.

Returner:

Coming back for the second year of Girls Tennis, Jennifer Dominguez shares “My greatest memory of tennis this year has been the attitude towards

tennis, we’re all together and it feels like more of a family, it’s really good.” Playing tennis isn’t only a competitive sport, but something that brings everybody together. Towards Coach Figueroa, Jennifer says “Coach Fig has her moments, she works us extra hard, but it pays off and we do better out on the courts.”

Jennifer’s reason for coming back to Tennis was “I came back because I don’t like to quiet things, I don’t give up on things I already started. “ One

priority Jennifer tried out a sport that she’s never played before was “I have never done a school sport before, and I really like watching Tennis, it’s very interesting.”

Beginner:

“Tennis this year has been great! Tennis is so much fun, I always thought it was a boring sport till I played it” Elisa Cruz states, the first time playing

tennis. The team is described this year as “loud, fun, rowdy, and family.” Cruz’s biggest challenge during the tennis season was “to tell myself I could do it. I barely started playing this year so it was hard for me to pick up tennis. I’ve improved so much more since when I first started at the beginning of

the season.”

Coach Figueroa:

The “ups” throughout this tennis year, Coach Figueroa had to say “Definitely the up being the improvements of the girls in their ability to play the game and kind of realize the strategy.” Also, the minor “down” part of tennis was “the inconsistency, their still really young. This is their only second ever year playing.” Coach Figueroa didn’t stop there without some positivity, “they did play in the off season, so that’s where the immaturity of the player and definitely where we rise up.” The way of describing

the team was as “Rambunctious, energetic, and over the top at times, they love to cheer each other on, their very supportive. I think it’s a group of misfits and socially awkward girlies who just love to hang out all the time.”

The one question we always want to know is, why did you become a coach? Coach Figueroa said, “I think success happens not only in the classroom, but out in the playfields. That’s where well rounded individuals happen, it happens often off the desk and on the field of how an individual is shaped.” Being a teacher and a coach at the same time does take time and patience. “If I can teach you in a classroom that’s great, but if I can get you out of the classroom and on the court/field, that’s going to make you a better person.”

Having a big team come with some fun experiences and good friendships with one another, especially in tennis. Also “It’s become a logistical concern because we can’t fit into the little mini bus anymore, we’re underutilizing the bus, but then over-utilizing the van we used to drive.”

This season of Girls Tennis had an unsuccessful of winning games this year, but accomplished in improvement of skills and strategies. Next year will be a new year for a fresher team who are dedicated. Shout out to the Girls Tennis for a wonderful season and for a bigger team that describes them as family. Let’s go bulldogs.