The courts are buzzing once again at South Eugene High School as the Axe tennis team officially kicks off its highly anticipated tryout season. With a blend of seasoned veterans and hungry newcomers, the atmosphere is charged with a single, unified goal: defending the title of District Champion.

South boys’ tennis coach Byron Gold opened the week expressing immense pride in the roster’s development. “A lot of students are showing significant improvement,” he noted, emphasizing that the off-season work is already paying off. Alongside Coach Dave Kensler, the duo is being hailed by players for providing a balanced coaching style. Senior veteran Devin Lin noted that the coaches bring a wealth of experience, offering different playing techniques and unique focuses that cater to the team’s diverse strengths.

“Both Coach Byron and Coach Dave are very supportive,” Lin said. After observing the first unofficial hits, Lin is confident. “The team is growing to be formidable. Seeing the talent and work ethic here, I predict a very strong season.”

That talent includes a deep pool of underclassmen. Sophomore Adarsh Makina, returning after a strong freshman year, admitted to some pre-season jitters but remains optimistic. 

“I’m a bit nervous about playing again, but I’ve improved greatly,” Makina said. Fellow sophomore Ibrahim Kellogg shared that excitement, stating plainly,

 “I know we will be good.” However, the road to the roster isn’t without its hurdles. Freshman Piotr Siudeja, who has been playing for three years, is battling back from a rotator cuff injury caused by overusing his serve. Despite the setback, Siudeja feels “pretty good” about his chances and is eager to get back to the competitive travel matches he loves. He also issued a challenge to his fellow students, encouraging those with backgrounds in cardio-heavy sports or those with strong hand-eye coordination to give the sport a shot.

As the final rosters take shape, the consensus among the players is one of “cautious dominance.” With a supportive coaching staff and a roster that Devin Lin describes as “formidable,” South Eugene is well-positioned to remain the team to beat in the district.

For Axe, this season isn’t just about playing tennis, but it is also about maintaining a legacy of tennis excellence that has been synonymous with South since the late 1990s.

Article By Saksham Sinha