All the players exuded confidence and energy as they lined up to shake hands with each of the Mounds Park Academy (MPA) players. It was their first home game of the season, and it was an ideal day to play some tennis, albeit some squinting due to the sunny weather.
Last year, SPA beat MPA in the section finals to head to state. And the year before that as well, in captains Leo Benson, Baasit Mahmood, and Maik Nguyen’s tenth-grade season. But it has not always been that way. “back in my seventh-grade year, they beat us in the state final four-three,” Nguyen said.
“In ninth grade, we played against them in the regular season and lost. And they ended up performing better at state than we did,” Benson added.
Now, it’s the Spartans’ turn to win and continue the dominance they have displayed this season.
The players encouraged each other throughout the evening, even while being separated by the bleachers. While playing with his doubles partner Jacob Colton, Nguyen made sure to cheer loudly for his singles teammates playing on the far side of the tennis courts.
“It’s great because from last year to this year, we have not lost anyone, so the team chemistry has stayed really steady. So as we’re working hard, [the team has] fun people to be around, and it’s people you want to play for, and you want to win for, which I think is great,” Benson said.
Allan Wang hits a clean forehand cross-court. “MPA is always a tough team, our biggest rival in Class A. Shout out to Allan Wang, who worked really hard. He’s been working all year,” assistant coach Max Hommeyer said.
(Nabeeha Qadri)
The players’ head coach, Luke Elifson, discussed strategy between games and encouraged players. “Every season that Luke has been the head coach, we’ve won the state championship. And I just think that speaks to his leadership. [He keeps] the intensity up and makes sure everyone is working hard, that we’re having a good time, and that we’re creating a strong community,” Benson said.
Many of the players had been playing for years before joining varsity tennis at SPA. “We have a lot of talent on our team. Implementing ideas from our coach, which is like having really strong energy and a lot of work ethic pushes you to that next level because you already have that talent to start with. And once you put those two things together, that makes like a winning formula, I guess,” said Nguyen.
The team also has its sights set on winning the IMAC conference, which SPA has never won.
“Blake, a double A team, is always very dominant conference. So we usually end up getting second,” said Benson.
SPA only plays against Class A teams, usually smaller schools, during sections and the state competition.
“[Blake has] more players they can draw from, so they have like, more skill overall, but this year, all of our players throughout the entire lineup are very good. So I feel like for the first time since I’ve been on the team, we actually have a chance to beat Blake,” Nguyen said.
The team will use their winning formula to win the IMAC conference title and, ultimately, go for the state championship title for the third year in a row.
The Spartans will play their next home match against Providence tomorrow, Apr. 29, at 4:30 p.m.
