After an incredible undefeated season in the El Camino League, the lady vikes tennis team hopes to find better competition in the De Anza League. A near undefeated overall record (18-3) will be hard to to beat, but coach Andy Harader believes they can do it.

“We should do really well even though we are up a league” Coach Harader said.

The loss of 7 seniors was tough on the team, but with incoming freshmen superstars, Maddi Page, Anya Yakimento, Rachel Owens, Gwyneth  Wong, and Myra Xu, the team looks promising with a multitude of nationally ranked players for the first time in decades. Captain Emma Cockrell(18’) had high praise for them “Of those 17 [players] we’ve got five or six really talented freshman.” With all of the seniors being replaced by young freshman talent, things are looking good for years to come.

Captains Mailinh Truong(18’) and Emma Cockerell also expect big things from the team.  “For the team, we have a pretty strong lineup this year as well as one of the largest teams since I’ve been on varsity [17 girls]. This allows us to have more flexibility for girls who want to play doubles and singles throughout the season. Since we are in the upper league, this advantage of new girls will definitely help us,” Truong said. The players have the utmost confidence in the team, and believe that they will be able to compete in the talented De Anza league, which has been called the best league in Northern and Central California. “This year is the first time in a while that we’ve had a really strong team while being in the upper league, so we have really high hopes for the season[…] We used to be at the top of the lower league and the bottom of the upper league, but I think this year is the first year in a while where we will have a chance to shine in the upper league” Co-Captain Emma Cockrell said.

Coach Harader also commented on the outstanding depth that the team has, and he believes it will help them win the league. Cockrell commented on the size of the team, saying that it’s the biggest it’s been in a while

The players also have an outstanding connection with one another. “Building and reinforcing the relationships between the girls is another big goal, especially since I am a senior now, so that we can train hard and have fun together,” Truong said.

Not only do the players want to build on it as a team but they also want to improve as individuals. When asked about her goals for the season, Truong answered “Individually, I’m working on strengthening the consistency of my game, so I can play both singles and doubles.”

The team hosts cross town rival Gunn Thursday, August 31st at 4pm, in what is sure to be an exciting match.