BHS Women’s Tennis Continues With Its Undefeated Season
The Berkeley High women’s tennis season is underway and the team is coming off a huge road victory against archrival Alameda High School, winning a tight match 4-3. The magnitude of the victory cannot be understated, as this was the first win against Alameda for the Jackets in recent memory. This is the team’s first step towards their ultimate goal of becoming league champions and getting to the North Coast Sectional (NCS) playoffs. The win keeps Berkeley High’s undefeated league record in tact at 5-0. “In my four years, we’ve never beaten Alameda,” explains senior captain Jenni Lee. “Finishing my senior year with something I wanted since my freshman year would mean a lot.” The team plays Alameda one more time at home at the Martin Luther King Middle School tennis courts, and a win in that match would almost surely bring a league championship to BHS. The win was especially satisfying after the Jackets’ season ended faster than expected last year, when they were beaten by Alameda in the last week of the season, clinching a league title for Alameda. Because of the fact that only the first place team in the league gets to go to the NCS playoffs, the Jackets were eliminated. “It was really frustrating,” Lee said, describing last year’s loss. “It motivated me even more.”
This year, the Jackets are confident that they will be able to make it to NCS. “The team is having a great season,” states second year head coach Mary Bedford. “The team has no superstars, but a great deal of depth ... many great and capable players.” Lee also shared her coach’s praise saying, “I think that if we stay focused, we can make it to NCS.”
The team has also come together very well, and has developed a great team atmosphere. “They play as a team and totally support each other,” Bedford explained. “We have a motivated team and great team spirit.” The team is led by senior co-captain Lee and junior co-captain Sofi Cullen, the number one and two singles players, respectively. “Everyone’s supportive and everyone is really nice,” explained Lee. She also compliments Bedford’s coaching, saying, “Mary is very dedicated. She cares a lot about the team. She’s doing this out of the kindness of her heart.”
With all the optimism surrounding the team this year, the Jackets looked primed to reach their goal of an NCS berth this season, which begins November 1. Everyone on the team is focused and is incredibly passionate about the sport. “When I was a freshman, watching seniors have a passion for the game inspired me to do the same,” Lee said. “I think that that passion has carried on.” The team hopes that passion can lead them to a league championship.
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