Swinging into a Great Season: Boys Tennis Starts Strong

Written By: Ariel Connell, Staff Writer

STREAK: Poly Boys tennis  is on a winning streak, completely undefeated in league and winning all around.

Boys tennis has already had a March and April filled with games. With 19 games these past two months, they have already gotten so much playing time. Ben Shiffer (9) just joined the team, and it’s his first year ever playing tennis. Ben said that he “really loves the experience and playing doubles”. Ben is a JV player and says that “coach is also really nice and I like him a lot, he makes tennis really fun”. 

So far, the team has a record of 12-1 and 7-0 in league, beating teams such as Patriot High School, Arlington High school, and Hemet High school. The team is already off to a great start. Tennis coach Nick Mateljan, states, “I’ve been so proud of the boys this year” and “they’ve worked super hard, with an outstanding record”. The assistant coach, coach Jas (as known by the team), says she “can’t wait to see these boys progress even more”. With their phenomenal record, coach Jas will surely see these boys continue to grow.

Jonathan Brusca (10) says, “I play doubles with Chris Bates, and I really enjoy it. I love the coaches too”. According to the students, the team is pretty close knit. Most of the boys get along and Jonathan noted that “we are very close with each other, I love this team, and I love the great conditioning”. Jonathan also iterates that he likes the experience of away games and traveling to all the different schools. 

Everyday after school and during sixth period, the boys practice for about two hours. They can’t practice in the rain, but they are on the courts every other day. “Practices can sometimes be hard, especially when I have off days, but other than that I absolutely love tennis” says Ben Schiffer (9).

A big part of the team is learning how to play the sport, especially if they are new to the team and want to really hone in on those fundamentals. Jacques Wong, a varsity singles player, is a sophomore with his second year on the team. Jacques had already had experience, yet notes that “Coach Mateljan really made a point to help me and the other boys perfect our skills, helping wherever he can,”. He goes on to tell us how much he enjoys being a part of the team, and how he’s seen it grow with students, even in just these two years.

To cheer on these boys, make sure to visit some of their next games: