When Michael Dela Rosa engaged with the Pahrump Valley High School Principal Desiree Veloz during the summer, he harbored a positive sentiment about his tennis team's performance this season without coming across as overly confident.
Unveiling the Journey of the Pahrump Tennis Team
Building a Strong Foundation
Dela Rosa, a paraprofessional at the school and the head coach of the Trojans tennis teams, has been meticulously cultivating a freshman class of student athletes over the past three years. This year, as seniors, they had the opportunity to showcase their hard work and dedication.For the first time in the school's history, the Trojans tennis team managed to secure the second position in the league and earn a spot in the state playoffs. It was a remarkable achievement that demonstrated their growth and potential.Overcoming Challenges
Tennis, with its "rich" connotation, might not be an immediately appealing sport to students. However, Dela Rosa's patient coaching and guidance transformed the team into a force to be reckoned with. They were able to compete with the top Class 3A teams in the state, proving that with the right approach, anything is possible.During the season, both the boys and girls teams dominated the court. Last year, the boys team finished in sixth place with a 6-4-1 record. But this season, they went undefeated (10-1) before the postseason and ended as the second-ranked team. The girls team also showed significant improvement, moving from fourth place with a 7-3-1 record last year to third place with a 9-2 record this year.The boys team's journey to the regional championship game was a thrilling one. They defeated Adelson and Sloan Canyon in the playoffs before losing to Boulder City 13-5. Despite the loss, their performance was a testament to their hard work and determination.The boys' doubles team, Lucas Johnson and Jace Eichner, also had a successful run. They started the season with the goal of playing together and ended up as one of the top four teams advancing to the state playoffs. However, they faced tough competition against the doubles state champion team from South Tahoe and were eliminated.Dela Rosa attributes their success to the hard work put in during the offseason and throughout the season. "The seniors were working hard for four years and then they finally made it through [with] their hard work," he said. "I'm thankful for them and I'm here for them."Looking Ahead and Rebuilding
After a successful season, the tennis team will graduate four girls and five boys, which will significantly impact the team's strength. Dela Rosa's next priority is recruiting new players, as he competes with other sports like football for students' attention.He has a dream for the program and believes that in order for it to thrive, a coach needs to be dedicated. "In order for a program to be great, a coach has to dedicate more," he said. "This is all because I have passion and love for this and starting a dynasty in Pahrump."To keep the program at a high level, the team needs more supplies. Dela Rosa is organizing a raffle that ends on Dec. 13, where local businesses and donors can participate. Donations will go towards players' warm-up jerseys, a tennis ball machine, and other equipment. Prizes range from free massage sessions and oil changes to cash.If you want to donate or reach out to Dela Rosa, you can contact him by phone at (775) 910-9017 or email him at [email protected].New
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