THE FINAL MATCH Girls’ Junior Varsity Tennis say their final prayer and team cheer prior to their last match against Santa Margarita on Oct. 23, 2023. Photo by Sky Vessels.

Girls’ Tennis is nearing the end of their 2023 season. Mater Dei Girls’ Varsity has proven their grit this season- so far undefeated. Coach Debbie Shaffer, leading the Girls’ Varsity Tennis Team, and Coach Kevin Springer, leading the Girls’ Junior Varsity Team, have led the athletes this season. Last season, varsity won their first CIF Championship, and with their undefeated season thus far, many players are looking for a chance to take the title again. 

Junior Olivia Mlouk has played tennis for Mater Dei all three years of her high school career and has earned her spot as a nationally ranked player along with many of her teammates. 

“I’m most excited for League and CIF this year because our team really shows out later in the season,” Junior Olivia Mlouk said. “I would describe our team as intense in the way we always want to win, but also a team that knows how to have fun,” Mlouk said. 

The team has made countless improvements each season, but their ability to perform under pressure has really escalated in the past few seasons. On Oct. 25, Girls’ Varsity competed at the Trinity League Championships and achieved another win with a final score of 15-3 against Santa Margarita.

Shaffer has led the Mater Dei Tennis team as head coach for two seasons. She, herself has a phenomenal record in tennis. Springer led the Orange Coast College Team for years before taking on the JV team at Mater Dei. Both MD coaches have similar goals for their teams, however their focus for each of their teams individually, varies. 

Springer shared that the team supporting one another and savoring the experience and the lessons learned is more important than the outcome of the matches. While winning is a rewarding goal, personal growth and experience is his focus this season.

“[We’ve been] focusing more on the experience of competition, as opposed to the outcome, like winning and losing,” Springer said.  “Everyone wants to win a state championship and [say], ‘we’re the best in our league,’ but as long as the girls are enjoying themselves and [being] a part of something bigger than yourself, [it is a positive outcome].”

Despite the stress of competition, the girls have created tight-knit relationships with one another and bonded as a team throughout the year, which is easy to spot on and off the court. In both singles and doubles, the girls are dependent on one another for good energy throughout the matches. Even during tough matches and practices, the team gives their all and does their best to support each other. 

“My favorite part is being a part of a team. It’s like a sisterhood, because we’re with each other every day,” junior Ani Mansourrian says. 

Springer is very proud of his team’s improvements this year. With new additions to the team after saying goodbye to the beloved seniors each year, it can be difficult to keep the team on the same page.

“Be who you want them to be. If I’m stressed out, and I’m nervous, and I’m anxious, and I’m worried about winning and losing, that’s no fun. I just want to influence the girls the best I can spiritually in [a positive]direction,” Springer said. 

With the season nearing its end, the biggest matches of the season are approaching and the dreaded goodbyes are imminent. When the seniors leave their coaches for college, a lasting impact is left on their lives whether they continue tennis or not. 

“If we could just glorify God with our tennis, no matter what level of motivation, I think that’s the purest form of motivation- just having the right heart about it,” says Springer.