By Tracy Lam, Photo Manager
Freshman Iris Chau started off her high school year with a great achievement: securing a spot on the girls’ varsity tennis team. Her start in tennis however was not the same. Chau’s father first introduced her to the sport of tennis and you would think someone who is so passionate about it now must have fallen in love with the sport from the beginning, but she had a more modest reaction.
Gradually, as Chau continued to practice and improve, her opinions changed. Chau began playing tennis when she was in the fourth grade and in the five years that she’s been playing, only now has she started to take it seriously.
“At first, I hated the sport because I was so bad at it. I couldn’t hit the ball and I couldn’t play well, so it wasn’t fun for me. Over the years, I got to play it more and now I understand why it’s so amazing. I love the competition, the crowd and of course the team here; they’re like a family and I love how they support me, win or lose,” said Chau.
Chau was scouted by Head Coach Patel long before the season began. Prior to the tennis summer camp, Chau participated in the Saturday practices hosted by Coach Patel, played on junior tennis teams, and competed in tournaments, so Coach Patel was aware of her attributes beforehand. During the camp, she displayed her strengths including great movement, strong control of the ball, and all around good placements, especially at the net. After showing major improvement during the camp, Coach Patel was sure that she would be placed in the lineup.
Though Chau is the only freshman on the girls’ varsity tennis team this year, she is revered by her coach and her team mates.
“It’s perfectly fitting for Iris to be on this team because she is so hard working and she really puts more time in attendance than a lot of other players. She deserves the position because she is a great player and I can’t wait to see how much she improves in the rest of her high school career,” said junior Captain Kaylee Tran
“[Iris] is definitely a leader. She is a hard working kid and she gives 120% every time she steps onto the court. She loves tennis and she loves this team. She will definitely be one of the key players this season. Our goal is to win league and I think she will be one of the most important players in achieving this,” said Coach Patel.
Securing a position on a varsity team is a great achievement in itself, but Chau has also managed to earn the respect and praise from her coach and teammates in the few weeks she has been on the team. Through it all, Chau has remained humble.
“I feel a little more pressure being the only freshman on the team, but I realize I fought my way onto this team and I deserve to be here. I hope I won’t let myself or team down and I hope I keep going despite how difficult it might be. All it takes is hard work, determination and good mental thoughts,” said Chau.
