With only two games left before league finals, the girls varsity tennis team sets its goal on qualifying for Central Cost Section.
Since Oct. 8, the Vikings have won six games and lost one, defeating Saratoga High School and Los Altos High School, but taking losses against Cupertino, Homestead and Los Gatos.
After playing against the top teams in its division, junior Noelle Burwell said the team is better prepared for CCS.
“Getting the opportunity to play some of the tougher teams in our league will help us prepare for the teams we haven’t played yet, and the teams from different leagues that we might face in CCS,” Burwell said.
Yet CCS is only a part of the fighting the team must endure, as the team is set to play its number one competitor in three days.
“Our biggest competition is Cupertino,” Burwell said. “They play very aggressively and always put up a good fight.”
According to Burwell, the team is experiencing angst when playing highly competitive teams.
“The idea of playing teams we haven’t yet is a bit stressful, we must practice every scenario possible, mostly tie-break situations,” Burwell said. “Practicing and getting as comfortable as possible with discouraging matches will help us be successful in CCS.”
Junior Myra Xu said recent losses are a result of the team’s lack of consistency in its tie break situations, and the best way to prepare for the finals and CCS is to practice the scenarios.
“If we can become more comfortable with these stressful situations the team will gain more confidence and consistency, leaving us in a better position,” Xu said.
According to Burwell, the competition is pushing the girls to strive for their goals.
“The possibility of making CCS is exciting and makes us want to play smarter and work harder to win each match,” Burwell said.
Although the team is pleased with how they have performed so far this season, their aspirations are still set high as they hope to do well in CCS, according to junior co- captain Rachel Owens.
Owens said she hopes to carry the team to victory this season after its disappointment from last year where the team lost in the semi-final.
“We came so close last year,” Owens said. “We are really looking forward to redeeming ourselves.”
