The boys Black Tennis Team was victorious over Oakwood, sweeping all the matches, winning 6-0 to end their regular season on a high note on Friday, April 24.
The team fought through the blazing San Fernando Valley sun to rally to victory. It will now prepare for the Delphic League individual singles and doubles tournaments and the team’s upcoming playoff matches.
After a dominant 8-0 showing with fellow doubles partner Reeves Chatham ’30, Ryan Zadeh ’30 revealed the keys to winning the match: “Serves and volleys at the net were great today,” Zadeh said. “Also our groundstrokes were consistent”.
Coach Christopher “CD” Daniels weighed in on the keys to victory.
“Most important of all, their Harvard Westlake spirit.” Daniels said. “ It’s HW coming together and supporting one another, and playing at their best. Every player is different. However, we demonstrated today that we have the best players in the city. By our serves, forehands, and volleys, we demonstrated why we have one of the best tennis programs in the country.”
Tennis is an individual sport. Usually, players will work on their individual games, but being on a tennis team teaches them important life skills they thought they’d never need. The tennis team gives the members of the team a new perspective on Tennis.
Graydon Trygstad ’30 highlighted the importance of team tennis.
“In tennis, you have people who are doing the same thing as you.” Trygstad said. “If in the event you lose, it’s not as big of a deal, because your teammates make you feel better about yourself. This helps with the mental aspect, and then it’s also nice to play with other people and to know that you’ve won for a team, doing it for other people and not just yourself.”
After ending with a perfect 5-0 regular-season record and 4-0 Delphic League record, it was an impressive season for the 8th grade team. Next year, they will take the jump to Junior Varsity. Looking back on the season, Daniels appreciated the students he coached.
“8th graders are always special to me.” Daniels said. “You watch them go from one level to the next level, you watch them become mature young boys. It is just a privilege to see these magnificent students become even more special.”
Throughout the season, the Black team relied on each other. They fought through all of their matches together. If there was one thing for the team to take away, this is what Daniels would ask them to remember.
“Team, unity and sportsmanship really matters for these young boys to become better men, and better human beings,” Daniels said.
