With the season coming to an end for the South High School Boys’ Tennis team, 2024 will be remembered for many great things. From 3 members the previous year, to now 13, the team has seen great change. It was a challenging yet successful season for the boys. They continuously put in hard work and determination which paid off greatly. While tennis may be a competitive and strategic sport, it is also a chance to make memories with a talented team while having lots of fun in the process. Even amid losing, the team remained to stay positive and learn from the loss. It truly was a successful year for the boys. Despite the season’s setbacks, the team achieved great knowledge, along with many other skills. Even amid stumbling, the team prevailed over the struggles encountered throughout the season. Kale Arebalo, a new member of the team, shares those struggles:
“I have had to overcome many obstacles during my first year as a tennis player. I have had to put a lot of work into my serves because that is what I struggle with the most. I’ve also had to overcome the challenge of accepting that you can’t win every single point. Sometimes the opponent just has a great shot that you cannot stop.”
Fernando Rojas, a new member and Junior on the team, shares what he has overcome and learned:
“I have definitely faced a lot of obstacles this season due to it being my first time actually using a racquet. Having to learn everything about tennis in a couple of weeks already gave me a lot of self-doubt about facing competition. Throughout the season, however, I learned that it is most important to focus on improving and doing what you are capable of no matter the outcome.”
Junior, Talan Wittsel, reflects on his struggles when he first started, and where he is now: “I wanted to switch things up… when I first started this year I had no idea how to hit it or play but now I know what to do and how to play… I am proud about being able to come out and compete against whomever I go against.”
Despite the season’s setbacks, the coaches continued to teach and support the team. Coaches play a huge role in shaping a team and how they play. Providing goals, building motivation, and creating relationships with a team are all important in shaping the mindset of the players. The coaches have had a huge impact on the team as a whole, and individuals themselves. Thanks to the coaches, Wittsell grew mentally throughout this season: “The coaches showed me how to have a positive attitude no matter what the situation is and that the little things very much do matter.” On the other hand, Arebalo took on great knowledge from the coaches and gained many skills:
“My coaches have both been a crucial part of me becoming a better player. They have taught me many moves I did not know before and were my guides when I first started. Without them, I don’t believe I would be half the player I am now… They taught me everything from how to hit the ball correctly to how to slice and get a top spin on each of my hits…both coach Westbrook and coach Hauser have been fantastic and I really enjoy working with them.” Kale Arebalo, Sophomore, expresses. Rojas acknowledges the time and effort that weighs on the coaches: “This season I have two amazing coaches who have strived for every single player on the team. They’ve continued to provide an immense amount of support and strategic training this season.”
Sometimes even with the coach’s help, the team met their rough spots, lacking confidence and skills:
“There are many skills I would like to improve this season, both mentally and physically. Concentration and confidence are what I struggle with the most during games and hope that with experience that will come around. Physically, I hope to improve movement-wise while maintaining the correct techniques” Rojas voices. Along with Rojas, Arebelo reflects on what he needs to improve before next season:
“I hope to improve on the speed and power of my serves and strokes for sure. I have accuracy and the motion of hitting the ball down, but once I can get the speed and power I will become a lot better as a player.”
Not only has this year been a time to improve and learn new skills, but it was also a time to make new friends. On the court, you’ll never find the boys not laughing. Somedays even staying after practice to play a quick match. Arebalo expresses his acknowledgment towards his teammates:
“I am extremely proud of the growth in skill of myself and my teammates on the court. Many of them are first years like myself and the difference between when we started and where we are now is magnificent. Our strokes, serves, and chemistry with each other have grown a lot and I couldn’t be more proud… I will 100% be playing tennis next year. I have a ton of fun playing the sport alone and with my teammates.”
With summer coming up, that means more hard work and learning for the team. Thanks to the hard work in the season, and the coaches, our South High’s Tennis boys will continue to thrive. Thank you to the tennis team and coaches for the hard work and for going out and making our program better.
Kale Arebalo
Holland Luke Kennedy
Kenyon Cole Shelton
Antwoine Sharkey
Saul Antonio- Cortez
Romel Lobo-Juarez
Fernando C Rojas
Talan Wittsell
Fidel Anthony Munoz
Ernesto Mena-Vasquez
Taylor Chase Owen
Gary Martinez
Valin Medlin
Head coach: Allison Westbrook
Assistant coach: Benjamin Hauser
