On Feb. 27, UHS Boys’ Tennis took down the Portola Bulldogs 16-2 during their home game, winning 8-1 in both singles and doubles. Despite it being early in the season, the undefeated Trojans hope to use this victory as momentum to maintain their position as one of the top high school teams in the nation.

Leading up to their match, the team emphasized the importance of doubles for their future success. During practice, players experimented with different strategies to discover the strengths of their partners. However, many team members felt that they were in a position to win the match early on.

“The team worked hard during offseason practice,” sophomore JiHyuk Im said. “With the experienced coaching of Coach Kessler and Coach Mano, we built really great foundational skills going into the season.”

As a singles player, Im helped lead the Trojans to victory with set wins of 6-2, 6-0 and 6-1. In doubles, sophomore Tyler Chandler and senior Joseph Chan won their first set 6-1 and their second set 7-6 after a 7-4 tiebreaker. For many players, playing with a partner gives them someone they can rely on for support and encouragement.

“I can always count on my partner to lift me up when I’m feeling low in the middle of a match and help me persevere through any roadblock I have,” Chandler said.

Following the win, the Trojans are only more motivated to achieve their goal of securing a CIF title and a victory at the All-American Tournament. Senior captain Cedric Lichtsteiner recognizes the team’s strong start but also stresses the importance of preparing for the tough journey ahead.

“I’m proud that everyone proved themselves capable of competing at a high level, but I think it’s necessary for our players to earn more match experience,” Lichtsteiner said. “This will ensure that we have a strong and experienced lineup for the future.”

The Trojans will play their next game at home on March 20 against Sage Hill.