The UC High Girls Tennis Team, headed by first year Coach Philip Flores, is off to a great start. “League has been a great experience already. We have kicked off the season with wins against High Tech High and Christian High School,” said Flores.
Senior Captain Christina Herfindahl shared a similar notion. “Our season has gone well so far. I think if we keep improving, we could even win League this year,” said Herfindahl.
Flores has high hopes for his first season with the team. “Our biggest goal is to compete well in League and push to qualify players for CIF,” said Flores.
Flores also has a long term vision for the program, however. “I want this team to set a standard of accountability, effort, and pride in representing UC. This season is about setting those standards, competing well in League, and preparing for bigger goals in the future,” said Flores.
Improvement during practices and games throughout the season is important for the team to be as successful as possible. “The team prepares for the season by practicing game-like situations and also by having fun practices to get to know each other,” said Junior Aya Bonifacic.
Even through only the early parts of their season, the improvement is evident. “We’ve faced some tough matches, but I love seeing the players step up, compete hard, and improve each time they take the court,” said Flores.
Just as important as their on-court accomplishments is the bond the team shares with one another. “My favorite part of playing tennis is definitely the friendships and memories I’ve made. One of my favorite memories is when we went to Cane’s together after an away match to celebrate our win,” said Herfindahl.
Flores echoed this sentiment. “Coaching here is about more than just wins for me; it’s about building a program that keeps growing year after year and creating an environment where players want to be a part of something bigger than themselves,” he said.
Flores has already implemented this type of environment with the team. “We hope to improve over the season, both on and off the court. We practice our skills, but we also have team bonding events, which really bring us together as a group,” said Herfindahl.
All great teams have players who are able to step up and be leaders. It is key to have teammates who can lift each other up and display a good example for others. “I look up to the seniors, like Christina [Herfindahl], Naima [Blue-Basa], and Kaitlyn [Le] since they have been playing for awhile. Watching them play and adjust to situations helps me improve,” said Bonifacic.
Flores sees a lot of promise in this group. “We’ve got a strong mix of returners and newer players who are buying into the program. What excites me is seeing different players step up in big moments.It shows that we’re building depth and trust across the lineup. Our leaders set the tone, and our younger players are showing that UC tennis has a bright future,” he said.
Flores hopes to see the program grow over the years, and hopes new players come out each year to try out. “Tennis is one of those sports you can play for life. It teaches you patience, strategy, and toughness, but it also gives you friendships and a team that feels like family. UC students should try out, because our program is about more than just tennis. It’s about representing your school with pride, learning lessons that stick with you long after high school, and being part of a competitive team.”