Girls’ Tennis Returns and are Ready to Serve
By Aaron Smollins (Staff Writer)
The Samo Girls Tennis Teams’ season began in early September where the Vikings faced the Beverly Hills Tigers in a non-league game. Ready for redemption after a tough 2021-2022 season, this year's Girls Tennis Team captained by Jasmine trail (’23) and Haile Matsui (’23) are led by head coach Shaun Simone.
Co-Captain, Jasmine Traill (’23) seems optimistic for how she wants the season to play out.
“I’m hoping that we play hard and do our best,but most importantly that we work as a team and encourage each other,” Trail said.
Coach Shaun Simone hopes that the Girls Tennis Team can turn things around and have an overall better season than last year.
So far, the team has defeated Venice High School in a non-league game and lost against Redondo Union, Mira Costa, Palos Verdes, Peninsula and Beverly Hills.
“This season we hope to qualify for the CIF Team Tournament in November. Teams must have a .500 win percentage in order to qualify and last year we were right below the mark. With returning Sophomores Meleja Horelick and Avey Thompson leading the Varsity team again this year, at first and second singles respectively, I believe our chances are better now with some experience,” Simone said.
In order to do so, more coaching has been added to the team, for greater instruction and more productive practices.
“It is also important to note that we recently hired an Assistant Coach to help during practices. It was necessary to expand our coaching staff in order to have practices run more efficiently considering our competition in the Bay League. We need as much support as possible,” Simone said.
The Girls Vikings are ready to play hard and leave it all on the court this season. The team’s next home game will be against Mira Costa on Tuesday Oct. 18.
Avelaine Thompson (’25) in the first league game of the seaon against Redondo Union on Sept. 22.