Many have already dubbed the upcoming girls’ tennis season as a rebuilding year. The team faced a crippling loss of multiple key seniors such as last year’s number one singles player Jill Klausner. New head coach Steve Ames and key promotions from last year’s JV team, such as number one singles player sophomore Vera Yu, are giving this year’s team not only hope but high expectations.

Yu made a monstrous leap from being last year’s top-ranked JV player to this year’s top-ranked varsity player and is already carrying the team. “Vera is a very solid player,” Ames said. “She has a good serve and a wicked forehand. She’ll definitely be able to hold her own on the court this year.”

Yu realizes the differences between JV and varsity. “The preseason was helpful,” Yu said. “It took a little time to adjust. The balls are harder hit, with more top spin. Consistency is also a big thing. You get a lot more 10-ball rallies compared the four-ball rallies of JV.” In the early season match versus Lynbrook, Yu simplified her play and took nine straight games in a comeback victory.

In addition to the players’ improvement in skill and the new coach, the team has moved down to El Camino League, aiding the girls’ chances of success this year. “Moving into the lower league was helpful but it’s still difficult,” Yu said.

The coach is also introducing a new approach to this year’s team. “We’re trying to play high percentage tennis this year,” Ames said. “That is, keeping the ball in play rather than trying to beat the opponents on every shot. We’ll let them make a mistake.”

So far, the strategy has been successful. Despite a loss to Palo Alto High School in their second game, the girls have won four matches, handily beating Menlo-Atherton and squeaking by Salinas on tiebreaker.

Despite losing last year’s seniors, the team still hold themselves to a high standard. “I think our team’s ability is greater than last year’s,” senior Kimberly Wu said, “We should win most of our matches. All of our returning players have improved greatly.”