Jana Lee advances to NCS

November 11, 2009 • written by Jenae Galang

On Monday November 9th, while most Mariners took advantage of their day off by sleeping in or catching up on homework, sophomore Jana Lee awoke at 9:30 to prepare herself for the final rounds of HAALs.

“I listened to Owl City on repeat,” said Lee. “I focused and concentrated, stretched and super hydrated.”

When 3 p.m. hit, Castro Valley High’s school bells rang and unlike the usual hubbub of after school excitement, silence surfaced around CV’s tennis courts as spectators watched the final matches of the HAAL Tournament with great anticipation. The main attraction of the day was the singles match between Mariner Jana Lee and Castro Valley Trojan junior Sarah Lemp.

Deja vu hit Lee as she found herself playing against the same opponent that ended her advancement to the finals at last year’s HAALs. Lee, however, refused to face the same outcome as last time.

Lee quickly triumphed over Lemp in the first set, winning 6-0. Although most players typically hydrate themselves with either water or Powerade, Lee drinks both. During changeovers, she sips a bit of water, takes a bite of a chocolate brownie Cliff Bar, and then gulps down some Powerade.

“That’s just what my body is accustomed to, it gives me energy and something to chew on,” Lee said.

The second set, however, was not such an easy win. Both players played an intensely long set, packed with more rallies than Lee’s liking.

“I should have tried to change up the pace more,” Lee said.

In addition to the rigorous rallies, Lemp’s alleged bad line calls cost Lee a few games and stripped her of her composure. Filled with frustration, Lee called for a line judge and tried to relax.

“I tried to calm myself,” Lee said. “I told myself to look it over later and super focus on winning the match first.”

And win was just what she did. Despite her annoyance with the bad calls, Lee beat Lemp 6-4 in the second set and gloriously maintained her ranking of first seed.

“This is everything I’ve been practicing for,” Lee exclaimed, “I really wanted it, so badly.”

As she moves on to NCS, Lee continues to prepare herself for her upcoming match on Tuesday November 17th at Santa Rosa High School. Physically, Lee plans on playing some practice sets with competitive players. Mentally, Lee feels that confidence is the most important mindset to go into a match with.

“I know I’m at least some sort of challenge,” Lee said.

While bystanders will watch the NCS match in silence, Jana Lee’s mind will be blasting Owl City on repeat and maintain one simple thought, “Bring it home.”

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