After facing off against Encina and Highlands, players look to hone in on skills

Chardonnay Needler
Sophomore Michaela Chen prepares to hit a ball in her match against Highlands High School, March 10.

Date: March 9

Opponent: Encina High School

Final scores: Senior Emil Erickson (6-1, 6-0), junior Nico Burns (6-0, 6-0), sophomore Allison Zhang (5-7, 1-6).

Inside info from Burns:  “I played consistently, and I kept the ball in play. I could maybe improve my volleys because I haven’t practiced them a lot lately.”

Inside info from Zhang: I had a few good shots; now I just need to work on making all of my shots like that.

Inside info from Erickson: I didn’t serve that well. Almost all of the points I lost were because of double faults.

 

Two tennis players attempted a rematch against Highlands High School on March 10.

Sophomore Michaela Chen, who won her singles match (6-2, 4-6, 6-0), remains undefeated.

According to Chen, her speed and footwork were the high points of her game.

Even with the win, Chen said this match was long and pressuring.

“I won the first set, but my opponent had a four-point lead in the second,” Chen said. “I eventually caught up (until the score was) 4-4, but she (ended up) beating me.”

Due to a tie after the second set, Chen participated in a third tie-breaking set.

According to Nelson, Chen found a flaw in her opponent’s technique.

“Michaela recognized that her opponent had a weak backhand and played to that weakness, winning the deciding set,” Nelson said.

Chen said that even though she won, the match’s lengthiness, as well as the warm weather, made it more tiring than normal.

She also said that the lack of practices has kept her from improving her tennis skills, including her serves, which are her main weak point.

Sophomore Chardonnay Needler lost her match (4-6, 3-6).

Coach Jamie Nelson said that although Needler prefers to play doubles, she admitted the singles match was fun.

The team’s next match is Tuesday, March 15, against Bradshaw Christian School at Cosumnes River College at 3:30 p.m.

By Anna Frankel

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