Alissa Saylor is the 2015 team Captain of the San Lorenzo Valley Girls Tennis Team. Alissa has played four years of tennis for the Cougars and was nominated by her teammates as team Captain for the second straight season. This is the “beginning of the end” for the Senior and she is looking forward to making the most of her senior season.
As a freshman, Alissa started her competitive tennis career. Through hard work and countless hours of practice, Alissa has improved each season on the tennis court. As Alissa said, “The more you practice, the better you get.”
Alissa feels that this season is off to a good start. While the team has not yet claimed a victory on the court, they have shown improvement each match. Alissa credits the team’s growth to Coach OB (Coach Matt O’Brien). “Coach OB is a good coach and he believes in us!”
In past seasons, the team did not play in league matches. In the last two seasons, since Coach OB has taken over the program, the team is now participating in league play. “Coach has faith in us!”
This has been a huge bump to the team’s confidence and commitment. So far, Scotts Valley has been the biggest challenge. While they didn’t beat the dreaded Scotts Valley Falcon’s, they did learn from the match and will take the lessons into their upcoming matches.
This has been a huge bump to the team’s confidence and commitment. So far, Scotts Valley has been the biggest challenge. While they didn’t beat the dreaded Scotts Valley Falcon’s, they did learn from the match and will take the lessons into their upcoming matches.
As team captain, Alissa loves the team chemistry of this year’s squad. “This team has a really good vibe.” They love to laugh about things that take place during practice like when they accidently hit tennis balls at each other during practice.
With only six matches left in her high school career, Alissa is looking to the future. Alissa is looking to go to college after graduation. She has her sights set on becoming a teacher. Who knows, maybe she will follow in Coach OB’s footsteps and become a tennis coach as well?
While Alissa loves the sport of tennis and plans to continue playing, she doesn’t see herself playing competitively at the college level. Alissa really enjoys the sport because of its fast pace and because it is a fun way to exercise. Along with tennis, Alissa really loves to go horseback riding.
Good luck, Alissa, in your final matches of your senior season!
By Courtney Carter
The Claw 