The Century League season started on the rough side for girls’ varsity tennis as they lost their first match, 15-3, against El Modena High School Sept. 30. Singles players Deanie Hatch, sophomore, Sara Kronquist, junior, and Jacqueline Krallman, senior, were swept by opponent Krista Hardebeck, sophomore, who is ranked first in California and fifth in the nation.

However, on the following day, the team prevailed with a 10-9 win against Tustin High School.

“Tustin is usually our easiest game,” said Krallman. “It just happened that this year, [Tustin] got two new singles players that just had awesome games.”

This year, the team dynamic is different with eight of the 16 girls experienced seniors playing the courts.

“We are a strong team with depth,” said Bob Walton, coach. “The girls are consistent players. They just have to learn how to keep their heads down and their shots smart. A lot of the times, the other team doesn’t win the game. We lose it.”

Walton added that the goal for girls’ tennis this season is to make it to CIF playoffs. The team has not made CIF finals in over seven years and they want to take it step by step.

“We don’t expect to make CIF,” said Paulina Forgette, senior. “We just want to work hard and have fun. We’re taking baby steps so we can build the tennis team to be something greater.”

As season continues, afternoon practices entail working to overcome unforced errors in the players’ games. New drills and nearly new ball machine works footwork and a more aggressive attack at the net.

Play resumes today at 3:15 p.m. against El Dorado High School.