By ADAM KUJAWSKI, Staff Writer
The Lopez Lobos’ tennis squad started this year with a new coach and a young team made up of freshman and junior varsity players from last year.
Coach Maria Ibarra is proud of the effort displayed by her team. Having lost all of last year’s varsity-level players to graduation, Ibarra is tasked with managing a team of somewhat inexperienced players.
“The kids are really putting a lot of effort in at practice and in the matches,” she said. “Their improvement has been amazing.”
Ibarra also has been working diligently on improving her team’s skills, with a particular concentration on serves.
“(Serves) is where we’ve had trouble,” she said. “But a lot of the kids are with me in ninth period and just stay with me after school.”
Perhaps working with the team for extra hours will facilitate the learning process for the Lobos.
KEEPING HOPE ALIVE: After 13 years as an assistant tennis coach at Pace, Analicia Rodriguez is now in her second year as head coach.
The team would not be where it is today, though, without its sophomore players. Rodriguez is certain that the group that makes up half the team is the reason the Vikings can compete every week.
“I’m impressed with their commitment, the time they’re putting into tennis and that they’re out here,” she said. “(Last) Tuesday we lost, but only by one match. I’m impressed that they’re not afraid to come out and play varsity level and try to win for their team.”
If it wasn’t for the sophomores, Pace would be forced to forfeit a number of matches every time. But since players like Daniel Ramos, Kris Martinez, Ignacio Cruz, Erika Chavez, Daniela Sosa and Crystabel Breidenbach have put forth the effort, the Vikings have a chance to be competitive.
“I can’t pick just one in particular,” Rodriguez said, as she couldn’t stop talking about her underclassmen. “This whole (sophomore) group has really been the one to shine.”
Adam Kujawski covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6663 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @adamkujo1.