Girls tennis runs into more conditioning under returning coach

September 11, 2009 • written by Emilio Ronquillo

Less than one month into the season, the rays barring down from the fading summer sun aren’t the only heat girls tennis team feels. Under head coach Rose Borja, the squad finds itself sweating profusely over its newfound commitment to fitness.

With Borja back at the helm (she was head coach in 2006 and 2007), the team runs harder and more frequently than it did under previous head coach Andy O’Loan, who retired one year sooner than expected this past August. According to Borja, the increased intensity of practice is a necessity for her team of forty-seven players, twenty-seven of whom are new to the program.

“A lot of the new players who generally don’t play sports think that tennis is a game where you stand on the court and hit the ball without having to move. Tennis is all about footwork” said Borja.

The head coach’s no-nonsense approach to endurance and agility is reflected by the incorporation of running in all facets of practice. In addition to the standard conditioning portion of practice, players constantly work on footwork drills and guarantee extra running by showing up late to practice or making mistakes in drills. Push-ups and sit-ups are also becoming practice mainstays.

“Do this correctly, or you will run, ” senior Jane Guo said of the nature of drills.

Borja believes workouts that improve endurance and strength are essential to the development of tennis skills. “The ladies hate conditioning, but when we start hitting the ball, you can see that their stamina is holding them back from preparing early to hit a forehand or backhand,” she said. “When the players start getting tired, they start staring at the ball.”

Senior captain Hazel Cruz, who described O’Loan as being “pretty laid back”, isn’t surprised by the direction Borja has taken the team in. “She has always been this way, focused on discipline and fitness” she said.

Increased stamina and quickness to the ball figure to only help Cruz and fellow captain, sophomore Jana Lee. Due to the departure of former number one singles player, Fatya Amiri, the two captains are expected to play even bigger roles the Varsity team.

Despite Borja’s emphasis on conditioning, the instruction of tennis technique has not taken a backseat to running. Because of the partitioning of the team into three tiers (Varsity, JV, and Developmental), players experience more one-on-one learning.

Junior Melissa Desuyo appreciates Borja’s instruction, which she believes has assisted in improving her on-court technique and understanding of the game. “I know what I’m doing wrong. I understand what skills I need to improve, and how.”

While Borja is responsible for coaching the top twelve players, assistant coach Tony Rodriguez trains the remaining JV and Developmental players with a similar mindset as the head coach. He preaches quickness to the ball, and weaves conditioning into most of his drills and games.

“Coach Rodriguez incorporates fun concepts into conditioning, but it still does its part” said junior Andrea Aranzanmendez.

Rodriguez is aided by numerous boys tennis players, including seniors Errol Tongco and Kevin Velasco. The volunteer player-coaches assist newcomers in learning the basics of tennis, including ground-strokes, serves, and court positioning.

Sophomore Samhita Nanduri views the player-coach mentoring as beneficial to first-time players. “The coach’s assistants are very helpful,” Nanduri said. “They put the coach’s instructions into words and actions that are easier to understand.”

Running and footwork have become the major focal points of tennis practice. Pictured: senior Marilyn Muir, freshman Annica Asilo, and junior Melissa Desuyo

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