OPTIMISM: Poly eagerly welcomes Nick Mateljan, who will coach the boys’ and girls’ tennis team.
By Kate Santoso, Staff Writer
Within every new coach lies a natural sense of nervous anticipation for the fierce competition but also excitement for the thrill of collaboration and teamwork. Every new coach is excited to begin his or her new career. Poly’s new tennis coach, Nicholas Mateljan, is also thrilled to join the Poly family and continue the traditions of the tennis team.
“As strange as it may sound, I have been coaching tennis for over twenty-six years, yet I am still very nervous about coaching a new team,” the coach admits. Prior to Poly, Mateljan coached both University of Riverside (UCR) and John W. North High School for the past twenty-six years. He worked as the head coach for the women’s tennis team at UCR for five years and as the UCR men’s assistant coach for one year. Afterwards, Mateljan coached at North for eighteen years.
Mateljan’s motivation to coach at Poly came from his three daughters. His eldest daughter, Torrey Mateljan (10), is a member of the varsity team, and his two younger daughters plan to attend Poly as well.
Despite their prior success, the coach simply wants the girls to have fun and enjoy the game of tennis. “From the beginning of the girls’ season, my only expectation and goal for the team is to have fun and improve,” Mateljan expressed. If players are having fun and improving, he believes the team is successful. “At the end of the season, it would be great to win a league title, make a run in the playoffs, and maybe win a CIF title. However, if we do not, that does not mean we were not successful,” Mateljan opined.
Returning team members are anticipating ending the season strong with their new coach. “He has our best interests at heart. Our team is strong this year and Coach Mateljan will push us to play our absolute best,” girls’ tennis captain Makenzie Nelson (12) expressed. “I really admire Coach Mateljan’s positivity and knowledge of tennis. He is fair, and I believe we are destined for a great season,” Maxelle Bernie (10) said. “I was coached by Coach Moore since freshman year, so I was skeptical about the change at first. However, Coach Mateljan proved me wrong; I appreciate his coaching ability and his fun spirit,” Ashley Taylor (11) explains. Motivated team members create a stronger yearning to improve and simply enjoy tennis, which is exactly Mateljan’s goal.
“I am not concerned about making it back to the finals. Instead, our goals should be to improve, play our best, and support each other; let us enjoy the ride. I look forward to a great season and a long, successful run at Poly,” he concluded. Under the stewardship of Mateljan, the future of Poly tennis is bright.