With its latest victories against the Wilson Wildcats, the Glendora Tartans and the Alhambra Moors, the Girls Varsity Tennis team currently maintains a 6-0 record in the preseason. The planned league match against the Monrovia Wildcats on Sept. 21 was cancelled due to rain, but it has been rescheduled to Sept. 25.
The team’s most recent match on Sept. 14 resulted in a 12-6 victory against Wilson Hacienda Heights. In the 2016 CIF competition, the Rams struggled and won the match against Wilson Hacienda Heights by a small margin. Coach Slaymaker credits the Rams’ improved doubles team for the higher score this season.
“I have never had a team that had this much skill and understanding of the game at the beginning of the season,” Head Coach Nathan Slaymaker said. “Our team is strong and balanced from top to bottom. We have adjusted the lineup this year so that we are strong in both singles and doubles.”
Last year the 2016 Girls Varsity Tennis team won the CIF Division III championship, and the victory brought Temple City up to Division II. Because of this transition, the Lady Rams are working hard to meet the same levels of their opponents in their new division.
This year, the team has 12 players, seven of whom are returning players. The team hopes that with its experience, they will be able to build a strong season and win the CIF Championship again.
As the preseason progresses, the players continue to advance their technique and skills.
“Our team’s strengths are that we strive to play our best regardless of the level of our opponents and well as the spirit we have,” Senior Katherine Wu said. “Our weakness is probably the unforced errors we make. Even though some players have been playing for years, it becomes harder to adjust to certain situations when playing against a tournament player on another team.”
Coach Slaymaker believes that the team will succeed this year due to the knowledge team members gained from last year’s playoffs. He hopes that they will be able to push forward far into the postseason the way they did last year.
“The experience of our team gives me confidence,” Coach Slaymaker said. “Most of the players know what coaching advice I am going to give even before I say it. That experience has made it possible for us to take an even further step.”
The Lady Rams’ next home game will be against the La Cañada Spartans on Sept. 26.
The following away game will be in San Marino against the San Marino Titans on Oct. 3.
TCHS School Newspaper