The Selma High Girls Tennis has begun their season this year and with every game, they have progressively improved further and further. The record for the team is one win and four losses. Although it has been a rocky start, the team is coming back headstrong and ready to fight for every match.
“I want our players to compete efficiently. If our players compete this way, they can take tennis to the next level,” said Coach Daniel Casarez.
Coach Daniel, who has coached around fifteen to sixteen years, believes that a big role in competing efficiently is practicing the techniques of tennis. During practices the tennis team works on footwork, following through on the swing, and setting up points. The idea of playing smart is also a big part of what Coach Daniel teaches each of his players. He wants to make sure that in every match, each player is able to make a smart shot selection, whereas just swinging the ball as hard as you can to the other team.
“The technique is the stuff you learn on day one, which shows how crucial it is to become a successful player. My serve used to be one of my weaker shots, however with a lot of practice, it’s now one of my strongest,” said junior Mia Balderas.
Balderas has been playing tennis for three consecutive years now and has seen improvements time and time again. She has seen herself improve with her own skills and has seen her teammates grow as players as well.
“Tennis is mentally tough because it’s just you against the person on the other side of the net,” says Balderas.
Balderas goes on to explain how tennis is more than just hitting a ball back and forth. In fact this sport needs the player to be disciplined and to stay strong mentally to continue the game.
“One of my matches against Reedley, I lost the first set 6-1. I pushed through and ended up winning the match 6-1, 4-6, (10-4),” explained Balderas.
This one match against Reedley has shown Balderas that she shouldn’t give up or feel defeated and how she should always give it her all, whether she would be losing or winning.
“As a team I think we grew in the aspect of diligence. We all learn something whether our games go good or bad,” says Sonia Pacheco.
Junior, Sonia Pacheco has been playing tennis for two years now and over that time she has explained how she has seen herself and her teammates get closer and always staying positive with each other. Pacheco’s view of learning things in tennis is that even if they win or lose they come out of it with something new they learned or need to improve. This is able to help the girls learn for practice and future games later on down the road.
“My favorite part about tennis is getting to work on my playing with my teammates and coaches,” said Pacheco.
Being able to work with her team not only helps improve her own skills, but the rest of the team’s skills as well. Sonia sees working with her teammates as a helpful way to learn from her mistakes, while at the same time enjoying her practice with the team.
By the end of this season Coach Daniel’s goal is to show the tennis girls that they can achieve their goals and overcome their obstacles if they put their mind and heart into it.
“Some of our players believe they will not get any better. They must stop doubting their potential. I can tell you that it’s more than just encouraging their play,” said Coach Daniel.
