The UC High Boys Tennis Team is serving up a season full of determination and teamwork. Fueled by a passion for the sport and a desire to compete, the Centurions are prepared to leave it all on the court.
This season, the team has set ambitious goals, aiming to compete at the highest level in their Division. Senior Oskar Rouse said, “Our team’s goal for the rest of the season is to try to win CIFs.”
With an emphasis on consistent effort and teamwork, the Centurions hope to achieve this goal by maintaining a positive team culture. “We always try to stay positive no matter if we are winning or losing, and we always try to lift each other up to keep improving,” said Rouse.
That positive attitude is reinforced through the team’s practices and pre-match routines. “The routines we do before a match consist of us starting with a dynamic warmup, hitting for thirty minutes, and then finally doing a team chant before we play,” said Rouse.
The uplifting atmosphere the team provides for players has shaped their experiences in the sport. “I have been playing for around two years. I started playing because my friend got me into it,” said Junior Sanskar Sharma.
Practice and preparation are essential to be successful in the sport. “I enjoy playing mini matches with my teammates during practice, because it adds a little pressure and helps me improve so much,” said Sharma.
Junior William McArthur advises new players to put in the extra effort outside of team practice. “Self training your tennis skills is important. For example, using things like YouTube while at home can be helpful, as oftentimes after-school team practice is not fully sufficient,” said McArthur.
Strong communication and teamwork are key factors needed for the team to thrive. Head Coach Babak Ronaghy said, “Communication on the court is essential in doubles play, such as calling whose ball it is, or when to change sides. Even for singles players, giving tips to teammates about opponents you’ve faced and the style of play they have can help.”
Beyond practice and competition, players highlight how the close-knit environment makes playing tennis rewarding socially and competitively. McArthur said, “One of my favorite parts about being on the team is just hanging out with my teammates and supporting each other on and off the court.”
Ronaghy values the team’s progress and growth. “The most enjoyable part of coaching high school athletes is watching them improve from week to week… and put in the work to correct their weaknesses and build on their strengths,” said Ronaghy.
For any Centurions interested in joining the Boys Tennis Team, playing the sport has shown to be a rewarding extracurricular. “Come give it a try. You’ll be surprised how much fun it is to compete. Tennis is one of the best individual sports, requiring not just skill, but athletic ability such as agility and footwork, as well as mental toughness,” Ronaghy explained.