Coaches: Christopher Ghareebo (head coach)

Top returners: Cambria Dominguez (11), Sydney Odipo (10), Maya Orton (11), Julianne Tubiera (11), Ella Ward (10)

Top newcomers: Alice Chae (11)

Last season: The girls tennis team (12-2 overall, 7-1 league) won the league championship back-to-back for their third time in four years. They advanced to Division 2 CIF-SS quarterfinals, where they lost 10-8 to Cate High School.

“The highlight was beating Troy in a tiebreaker to take over first place in league,” Ghareebo said. “I was happy that we played our best tennis that day to get the win.”

Outlook: This year, the Lady Lancers aim to finish among the top three in the league championship to qualify for CIF-SS and progress as far as they can to try to win a title as a team.

Drawing from last season’s experience, Ghareebo said the team is mainly focusing on avoiding points lost as a result of nerves and errors.

“This year we have really focused on eliminating bad mistakes like double faults and easy missed volleys,” the head coach said. “Our players have clarity on what I expect and how we want to play high-level tennis.”

Additionally, Ghareebo said he wants to build on that progress by leaning into the team’s strength.

“In order to achieve [our goal], we have been especially focused on our doubles players, making sure they are ready for all situations and pressure,” he said. “We have good singles players, but our doubles will be the reason we have a special season or not.”

No. 3 doubles player Chae, who has been playing tennis for three years, said that although she is eager for this season, she is nervous as a first-time varsity player.

“I’ve been playing singles for the past two years, so that makes me a little nervous because the way doubles works is a lot different, and I’m not 100% used to it,” Chae said.

In addition, No. 1 singles player Orton, who has seven years of tennis experience, said she is very excited for this season. 

“I have been looking forward to this season since the beginning of summer because our team is so close and matches are so fun because everyone is so supportive and kind,” Orton said.

With no seniors among the starters because of injuries, the team hopes to break into the top three in the league championship by relying on the strength and talent of its younger members, Ghareebo said.

“We have a lot of young players, but they are hungry and want to continue the success of past girls tennis teams,” he said. “Success this year is playing our hardest, making ‘good mistakes,’ and winning the volley game.”

The Lady Lancers practice daily to maximize time playing and working together, Ghareebo said.

No. 2 doubles player Ward, who has played tennis for four years, said the recent afterschool practices have been grueling but beneficial.

“We have been building team camaraderie, and for doubles, we have been getting to know our partners for the season through match play and running drills,” she said.

Additionally, all of the girls have set goals for themselves this season to improve their performance. One of Orton’s goals, for example, is to play her best to get to CIF.

“I hope that I am able to make it to CIF this year, not only that, but hopefully make it far in CIF as well,” Orton said.

Ghareebo said his players have the ambition to work hard and are coachable.

“If we can keep our positive attitude and stick to our game plan each match, we will succeed,” he said.

The Lady Lancers went on the road for their first league match against Yorba Linda High School (2-0) on Thursday, Sept. 25, at 3 p.m.