COMMITMENT

The fall tennis season is fast and furious during September and October, sometimes continuing into November if all goes well. Being a part of the Valencia Tennis Team is a BIG COMMITMENT that includes time practicing, conditioning, fundraising, and participating in tournaments and team matches. There are multiple games per week during these months, and each player is expected to attend tennis each day, whether game or practice.

The girls’ tennis team consists of a Junior Varsity and a Varsity team with 9 starting spots on both. Both teams have 3 starting singles players and 6 starting doubles players. Not every player will have an opportunity to compete at each match; however, we expect all the players to support their teammates and the program. 

JV and Varsity will only travel with 12-13 players per team. Each team will compete in 12 Foothill League matches with Santa Clarita and Castaic schools. There will also be approximately 5 non-league matches, both home and away. In addition to these league games, we will also participate in the CAL HS Classic in Fresno, September 10-12, and host our own tournament, The Fall Brawl, in September and October.

ATTENDANCE AND ELIGIBILITY

To participate as a Valencia Tennis Player, Valencia HS requires 2.0 GPA to be maintained. Coach Darrell, however, requires a 3.0 GPA to participate on his Tennis Team. A student may not miss school and expect to attend practice or matches. As a team, there is a “NO PRACTICE, NO PLAY” rule. If for some reason a game or a practice must be missed, please email or contact the coach by noon the day of.

GEAR AND UNIFORMS

This season’s team uniform has been determined by the returning Varsity Players and will be ordered immediately after the team has been chosen. The uniform must be prepaid by the player/family before receiving. The gear remains the player’s property at the end of the season. This year, the uniform consists of 5 pieces: two tops, two bottoms, and a game day shirt. Additional uniform pieces can be ordered if needed.

Tennis racquets and tennis court shoes are extremely important to the player’s game. Please do not invest in inferior products, as this will cost more money in the long run. If you need assistance choosing a quality racquet or recommendations on shoe brands and fit, please ask our coaches. They are very knowledgable in all aspects of your game.

GAME DAY SNACKS AND NUTRITION

We encourage healthy eating with nutritious meals and drinking plenty of water. Dehydration can directly lead to cramping or heat exhaustion (electrolytes or pickle juice can help while cramping). Energy bars or bananas in the tennis bag can be indispensable during a match. We will have a Snack Parent sign up sheet for game days. Please make sure to sign up for snacks on game days. Most girls enjoy fresh fruit and gatorade/waters. 

TRANSPORTATION POLICY

All JV student athletes are required to ride on the bus to all matches that leave the school before 3:00 pm on school days. We get one way buses to the matches but your student must be picked up after the match to come back home. We will not have any buses returning students to the school unless it is an out-of-valley match. In that case, all students will ride to and from the match in the school buses provided. If you plan to drive your student home from an out-of-league match, you must acquire a “release paper” signed by Principal Kullen Welch and give to the coach before the game. Without a release paper signed by the principal, the student is required to return on the bus.

We often ask parents to assist in driving for the varsity matches and tournaments as a cost-saving measure. If you will be at the Varsity matches and can provide rides for additional players, please let us know. Again, that only applies to Varsity in-valley league matches.

USTA CODE OF CONDUCT

Spectators, parents, and friends are welcome to come to matches. Their role, however, is clearly restricted to that of passive observer with NO INVOLVEMENT OF ANY KIND DURING THE MATCH verbally or nonverbally per CIF Code of Ethics.