The student news site of Los Altos High School in Los Altos, California

The Talon

The student news site of Los Altos High School in Los Altos, California

The Talon

The student news site of Los Altos High School in Los Altos, California

The Talon

Boys Tennis Dominates SCVAL League with Experienced Team

The varsity boys tennis team enjoyed success and recognition last year, finishing second in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League (SCVAL) and advancing far in the Central Coast Section (CCS) of the California Interscholastic Federation. This season, the team has already ascended past the lofty heights set by last year’s team. The varsity team is second in the league and is looking to further progress in CCS, both individually and as a team. Senior co-captain Spencer Simonides attributes the team’s fantastic success to a heavily experienced team.

“First of all, we had no graduating seniors, so we returned [with] a lot of experience on the varsity team,” Spencer said. “Second, we have a deep lineup, which helps [during matches].”

This combination has proved remarkably beneficial. The ability to bring in waves of talent and reliability, coupled with a wealth of experience, ensures that every member of the varsity squad has enough energy and knowledge to win his match. This is the team’s third season with coach Bill Wong. After a successful season in their first year with Wong, the team moved up a division in SCVAL. The opportunity of having the same coach and team have proven to be advantageous in the accomplishments so far this season.  Additionally, the athletes have found new success in team goals that have served as both motivation and a daily reminder of what this season is all about.

The team has been sensational in the league, beating every opponent except for Monta Vista and Saratoga. They also survived close scares from Saratoga and Monta Vista in different meetings, going 1-1 against each of those teams.  Another facet of the team’s success was shown in the participation of the California High School Tennis Classic last March. Out of sixteen teams, the Eagles ultimately finished in third place in the double elimination tournament, behind Menlo School and Santa Barbara High School. Their success continually proves that the team goals set at the beginning of the season, once considered unachievable, are well within the team’s reach.

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“As a team, we want to win the remainder of our league matches so that we can beat out Monta Vista for the league title,” Spencer said.

He also cited individual goals, including defending his CCS doubles title with senior co-captain Anthony Bello, as major inspirations for the season. Even so, threats within the league are prevalent and endanger the pursuit of league and CCS glory. Aside from competition from other teams, the Eagles also dealt with the heavy burden of two absent players due to injury, but both players have now recovered.

“We’ve been down two people,” junior Braden Holt said. “We’ve been down [senior] John Dai, and [junior] Christian Beck.”

With the team fully back on track, they have passed the expectations raised after last year’s conclusion. The team has certainly taken advantage of having a refined set of experienced players, broadening their chances of CCS success.

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