As the 2024-2025 season quickly approaches, Oak Park High School’s girls tennis team is refreshed and ready to get back on the court. 

They went 7-1 in last year’s league, and competed at the Division I level for the first time in school history. With all of this under their belt, the team is ecstatic to reunite with the other players and continue what they’ve started years prior.   

“I am most excited about being able to build relationships with my teammates as well as attending bonding events with the team,” sophomore Maddie Ng said. 

The group has been practicing through summer conditioning, and now that the school year has begun they meet 4-5 days a week to build their skills. During this time they warm up and do matchplay in teams.

“[Coach Nielson] tries to reenact the experience you would have while you’re playing,” senior captain Joy Chu said.

Throughout each season, the girls spend a lot of time together, whether that is on or off the court. 

“[Our biggest strength] is always team camaraderie and our commitment to each other,” head coach Adam Nielson said. “I love seeing people come together [and] creating friendships.”

Though it isn’t until the end of August, the girls are also looking forward to facing their rival school, Camarillo. They went into last year’s playoffs in 1st place with OPHS following close behind in 2nd.

“We’ve lost to them for the past few years and I think we’re gonna win this year, so I’m excited to see how it actually plays out,” junior Sofia Selcer said.

Varsity plays their first game of the season on Monday Aug. 19 at OPHS in a practice match against Santa Barbara High School. JV joins in for their first game against Newbury Park High School on Thursday Aug. 22.