Harvard-Westlake High School Girls Tennis Season Preview

As the Harvard-Westlake Girls Tennis team gears up for another competitive season, Head Coach Jelena Durisic shared a glimpse into the program’s offseason focus, exciting new talent, and the team’s efforts on and off the court. Offseason Focus This offseason, the Wolverines have been putting an emphasis on strength and conditioning to ensure peak performance when the season begins. In addition, the coaching staff has encouraged players to participate in individual USTA tournaments, giving them more match experience and helping them sharpen their competitive edge. Team Bonding Through Competition Each year, the team takes a memorable trip to San Diego in September, traveling together in Suburbans to a tournament that blends competition with camaraderie. “The girls loved the atmosphere and competition during the day, followed by team dinners in the evenings,” said Coach Durisic. “It’s a great bonding time before CIF competitions begin.” Roster Changes & Rising Stars While the team bids farewell to standout senior Sunny Lu, who is set to compete for the University of Chicago, a promising new wave of talent is stepping up. “We have some great incoming players this year—young athletes who are eager to make their mark,” shared Coach Durisic. Among returning players, Fiona Tseng, now a sophomore, is one to watch. “She’s extremely talented, highly ranked in SoCal, and continues to show great improvement. She’s poised to have a breakout season.” Coaching Approach The coaching staff is also working on refining doubles pairings and strategies in preparation for match play. A key area of focus is getting the girls physically ready through intense fitness work, which lays the foundation for a strong and resilient team. Challenges Ahead One of the perennial challenges for the Harvard-Westlake team is balancing rigorous academics with the demands of athletics. “Our girls are very bright and driven, but managing time between schoolwork and tennis takes discipline,” Coach Durisic explained. As the new season approaches, the Wolverines are looking strong, grounded in preparation, bonded as a team, and ready to rise to the challenge once again.