After wrapping a successful 2024-2025 season, the RCHS girls tennis team is gearing up for an even more successful one. Having placed second in the Baseline League–only behind rivals Los Osos–the varsity girls team is feeling confident about their upcoming season. 

“I think we’ll do good this year,” said junior and varsity doubles player Liana Agena.

Her sentiment echoes throughout the rest of the team, with several players having expressed their confidence in the current season. The Cougars are off to a strong start, having already played three matches in three days, against Cajon, Temecula, and Etiwanda, respectively. They currently have a 3-1 record in the process. But the team’s relentless barrage of games doesn’t end there; they play four games in the upcoming week, and in extremely hot weather.

“It’s honestly challenging because you have to push through the heat, especially with this last week being high 90s and 100 degrees. But it also pushes us to be better as a team,” junior Jasman Bansal, another varsity girls player, said.

While there is generally a positive sentiment towards the schedule and the heat, some varsity players are apprehensive about it, especially considering that the bulk of the varsity girls team is made up of juniors and seniors, individuals who also face a daunting workload. 

“I feel very stressed and tired from constantly having to make up so much homework, and coming home late Monday through Saturday, but I’m also proud of myself for pushing myself and managing,” Agena said.

Ultimately, the Cougars’ goals are set beyond simply the Baseline League, with several players expressing their desire to make it back to CIF, an achievement they managed to achieve last season.

Having already won the Baseline League tournament and having a 3-1 record in all other competitions, the Cougars will have their work cut out for them, but have proven that they are more than ready for the task.