As the school year ends, the 2025-2026 spring sports season concludes. The last tennis game was held on April 20 against Washington Union, with a winning score of 9-0 for Selma. Alongside a final game, Senior Night was held, highlighting the athletic accomplishments of Harnoor Gill, Davian Castillo, Josue Gurrola Ontiveros, and Buddy Causer.
Under the leadership of Coach Casarez, who has now been dedicated to the Selma High School tennis team for eight years, the seniors were able to enjoy a satisfactory final season, specifically spotlighted by their trip to watch the Division-1 UCLA tennis team led by Coach Martin on March 20.
“None of our players had ever seen such competitive tennis this close before. It was our seniors’ most memorable experience,” Coach Casarez states.
Through watching their game and personally speaking to Coach Martin, the players learned of the dedication college athletes place not only on the court, but outside of their respective sport as well.
“I learned that playing at the collegiate level requires dedication in both practice and studies, which is a hard balance,” Davian Castillo describes.
Players not only at UCLA, but playing for any college, have to center all aspects of their life to their sport, such as their diet, nightly sleep, and overall schedule.
“Some seniors have said they want to meet us at next year’s field trip”, Coach Casarez explains, “We hope to visit one of the professional tennis tournaments that are shown on TV.”
Through this trip, the players were able to view that the most crucial part of playing on a team continues to be one’s companionship, which was solidified by the voyage back home.
“My favorite memory from this season was definitely the van ride going home from the UCLA trip,” Harnoor Gill recounts, “We had a lot of jokes and laughs, and it was an overall good time.”
Having played tennis for three years, Gill explains his mixed feelings about finishing his final season, feeling odd about leaving his daily routine, but being prepared to move on after high school.
“It feels awkward to finish my high school tennis career. It was a thing I always did after school, now it’s not what I do anymore,” Gill voices.
As each year passed by, the seniors’ relationship with their teammates continued to grow deeper and form from a community of pure teamwork, to rather a friendship. The Selma High School team not only supported each other on the court, but they also assisted each other past mental barriers and bonded through shared interests.
Having made up a major part of their lives, tennis will continue to follow them past high school, either in participation or the lessons they learned through it.
“I plan to play at the club level at UCSB, 10,” Castillo states, “I’m going to attend UCSB majoring in economics, while I continue to run my business.”
On the other hand, Gill plans to play tennis only at a recreational level while focusing on his education, majoring in biology at Fresno State.
Although leaving the team, all the seniors will leave a lasting effect on Selma’s team, and they will continue to apply their learned discipline in the remainder of their education.
