By Hannah Lazarte & Zoe Tran
Adrenaline rushes through your body while you’re standing confidently on the court, focused on the ball. You watch as the score grows closer to a winning score; however, this match wouldn’t be easy. After rallying and fighting for what seemed like hours, you finally win the match by one point.
As freshmen twins Minnie Le and Tri Le grew older, so did their skills and talents in tennis. With their ability to play competitive tennis expertly, they were able to score spots on the boys’ and girl’s varsity tennis team.
When they were five, their dad introduced them to the sport so they could play during college and get an athletic sponsorship. Now, he is their role model for playing the sport.
“[My dad] gives me inspiration to play because he makes me want to do better and become a better player,” Minnie Le said.
Ever since Tri Le was around the age of ten, he’s been competing against people other than his dad and sister through tournaments.
“I started competition [when I was] twelve—a little later than Tri—because [our] dad didn’t feel that I was ready for tournaments,” Minnie Le said.
Keeping your head up through a difficult match can be hard. For Minnie Le and Tri Le, they have different ways to stay positive and persevere during the game.
“I just try my best to clear my head and not really think about the situation,” Minnie Lesaid. “First, I try to feel what’s around me so I can take my mind off of trying to think too far ahead.”
While Minnie Le tries not to think too much while she’s playing, Tri Le concentrates on the voices of people who helped him progress in the sport for strategies and encouragement.
“I listen to my coach and my dad because my coach is a really inspirational person and [is] also a really good coach,” said Tri Le. “He’s been doing it for a long time, and he always has good stuff to say.”
The twins both bring light in the team with Minnie Le’s teammates describing her as a very lively and energetic person and Tri Le’s teammates describing him as friendly, nice and caring.
“[Minnie Le is] super kind and friendly to everyone on the team. She has improved a lot on the court this year as well,” said senior varsity teammate, Katie Lam.
While Tri Le wants to play in college and do more competitions, Minnie Le isn’t sure yet and will see how the future will unfold for her. Both of them will continue to play their best on the tennis varsity team and hopefully win CIF.
This article was originally published in the 2025 RED Magazine. Stop by room 306 to pick up a copy.
