By: Megan Saul

Media Production Editor

The Los Gatos Girls Varsity Tennis team has reached the last stretch of their season, with only three matches left. These matches have been against various competitors including Los Altos, Palo Alto, Cupertino, Homestead, along with other schools in the De Anza Division.

The Girls Varsity Tennis team is one of the smaller teams on campus, with a squad of 10 players. Ava Rahimi is the only freshman on the team, though she still feels a part of the team’s community and has made friends with many of the upperclassmen. Rahimi shared that “It’s really intimidating, but all the girls are really nice.” Making the varsity team as a freshman was no challenge to Rahimi as she has been playing and taking tennis lessons since she was seven. Commenting on the team environment, she shared that the captains, Nitya Jhamb and Yasmina Ikkaw, do a great job of including everyone. Junior Kiana Behnami added that “everyone is determined, productive, and on the same page. We just go out there and kill it.”

So far this season, the team has played twelve matches and racked up a record of 8-2. Win or lose, the LGHS tennis team fights hard and pushes themselves to the limit. Although they did not win their matches against Monte Vista, the defending CCS champions, and against Los Altos, each player demonstrated perseverance. Recently, they challenged Mountain View, winning 4-3. Zoe Swanson, a senior, and her sister Maya Swanson, a sophomore, won their doubles match 6-1 and 6-1. This powerful duo helped their team to victory by not only winning their respective matches, but also by cheering on and supporting their teammates.  

During matches, six players play doubles, creating three doubles teams, while the other four players play their matches individually. Sophomore Kaley Do shared that she prefers playing singles stating, “I become more competitive and push myself to play better. I also like how I’m in control of all of my shots and the fact that I can play strategically.” 

Throughout the season, the LGHS players have had experiences playing different types of teams and players with varying playing styles and levels. Behnami stated, “My favorite match for me personally was against St. Francis because it got very heated and really close, making winning it more fun.” 

While matches take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the team still puts in work during their practices on Mondays and Wednesdays. These practices normally last about one hour and 15 minutes. The team makes the best of this time by using it wisely and training in ways that will benefit their performance. Typically, they begin the practice by warming up with their doubles partners or by themselves before practicing different game-like situations, such as a tiebreaker set.

Come support the LGHS Girls Varsity Tennis team during their last few matches on Oct. 24 and 26. Specifically, come cheer on the team’s seniors during their last in season high school matches. 

(Sources: Los Gatos Athletics)