Tennis team sets high expectations

By Carlos Silva
The Guardsman

The City College women’s tennis team, led by new head coach Kelly Hickey, is looking to improve from 2009, when they finished second in the Coast Conference and 10th in the state.

Hickey, who assisted her twin sister Lauren as an assistant coach for the past three years, will now be coaching solo.

“I could not be more excited about it. Our team has been practicing a lot and we are expecting good things to happen this season,” Hickey said.
The team’s chemistry is what Hickey hopes will be one of its biggest assets.

“My goal here is to create a positive environment for everyone,” Hickey said. “It’s always fun when you come to play in a place where you can feel harmony and friendship. That’s what I want with my girls here.”

Sophomore Tiffany Lam, who finished among the top 50 in the state last season, is expected to be the number one singles player for the Rams this year.
“I spent my break practicing every single day to improve my game,” Lam said. “I know I can do a lot better this season. All I need is to maintain focus in my matches, and I know I can win.”

Along with Lam, fellow sophomore Masha Mayevskaya heads the experienced squad. Mayevskaya also acknowledged that she has room to improve over the season.

“I need to learn from my mistakes from last season,” Mayevskaya said. “If I can stay consistent all year, my game should continue to get better.”
Both Lam and Mayevskaya are expected to be leaned on throughout the season to set an example for the team.

“I plan on using their experience from last season to push the rest of my team,” Hickey said.

The Rams, who have a total of seven sophomores this season, hope to make a run at both the conference and NorCal titles.

Rain has forced the season debut to be pushed to Feb. 16, when the Rams travel to Mission College in Santa Clara.