As the boys’ and girls’ tennis teams advance to regionals after a successful district championship, the players and coach reflect on their overwhelmingly successful season despite facing numerous obstacles. 

Coach Robbie Clause has been teaching for well over 40 years and took over for Coach Hugo Armado after his departure at the end of last year. 

“I was excited to begin coaching the teams. I have coached at every level and while this experience has been somewhat humbling, I also feel as though I have helped the players a lot and it has been very rewarding,” he added. 

Junior Matthew Smith has been playing varsity tennis since he was a freshman and has since advanced to be one of the top players on the team. 

Smith was very confident in himself as well as his team before districts. “I was never really nervous about districts because we have a much better record than any of the other teams competing,”  he said.

Junior and captain of the girls’ team Jane Boyland thinks that Coach Robbie has been key in helping her have a successful season.

“The team is advancing to regionals and I am going to states both individually and with my doubles partner Skyler Zur. It was hard to get the ball rolling and pull the team together because of the pandemic, but I think Coach Robbie was really helpful in motivating everyone and also helping the team improve as a whole,” she said.

Coach Robbie has put in a lot of work to help the team grow and thinks it has really paid off in the long run.

“Progression-wise, the boys maintained a high level all year. The growth came from inside out. The girls were young so trust and development took longer. Both teams blossomed at districts. They dug deep and really grew,” he said. 

When asked about his long-term goals, he said, “I have a three-day week. Yesterday, tomorrow, and today. Yesterday is done! Tomorrow isn’t promised to anyone. Today is the only moment”. 

To him, the long term is a wish and a prayer. 

Co-captain and senior Skyler Zur is ecstatic with the success of this season. “I was really disappointed to have my junior season canceled so the fact that I get to win districts and advance to states during my senior year with such a great team means a lot to me,” she said.