Tennis:

The start of the new boys’ tennis season at La Salle has been anything but smooth. After graduating four key players from last year’s championship roster and losing four additional starters before the season began, the Lancers entered the year facing significant roster changes. Yet despite the obstacles, the team has found its footing early in league play.

La Salle opened the season with three preseason matches, finishing 1–2, before turning its attention to the games that matter most. Since the start of Del Rey League competition, the Lancers have responded with a strong 3–0 start, including an early matchup against one of the league’s toughest programs, Bishop Montgomery High School.

For Coach Javier, the transition to a new roster has been about more than wins and losses.

“Not only did we lose a lot of players, but we brought in six new ones as well,” he explained. “In a sense, that’s helped our transition. Culture is a big deal for me. Winning is nice, but how my team flows and gets along is much more important. My top priority as a coach is making sure these players create lasting memories and relationships with each other.”

The early league victory over Bishop Montgomery set an important tone for the season.

“That match told me we’re ready for this new season,” Coach Javier said. “High school tennis is tough. The highs are high and the lows are low. Maintaining consistency is difficult when players come and go in waves. We didn’t get as many preseason matches as I would’ve liked either—those are the matches where you test things out and experiment with lineups. But since we set our lineup, we’ve stuck with it. The players are making it work and doing what’s best for the team instead of focusing on individual goals.”

Leadership has also played a major role in guiding the team through the transition. Senior captain Evan Loh has been a steady presence both on and off the court.

“Evan has been captain the past two seasons for a reason,” Coach Javier said. “Every practice and every match he reminds me why I chose him for that role.”

As the season continues, the focus for La Salle is simple but powerful.

“Belief,” Coach Javier said. “It’s hard to maintain a high level once you’ve won it all. With everything we’ve gone through this season, I want my team to believe in themselves that they can do it again.”

With a reshaped roster, strong leadership, and an undefeated start in league play, the Lancers are proving that even in a season filled with change, the foundation of the program remains strong.