Varsity Boys Tennis Secures Hard-Fought 4-3 Victory Over Cupertino

The Palo Alto High School Varsity Boys Tennis team battled to a 4-3 win against Cupertino High School on Wednesday, March 18, marking their first game of the season. The match was complicated by water damage to one of the courts, limiting play to six courts and causing a delay in the final match due to darkness. El Estoque reported on the match.

A Delayed Finish

The deciding doubles match, postponed from March 3 due to the court conditions and fading light, was completed on Wednesday. The overall score was temporarily tied 3-3 before the final match.

Key Performances Lead to Victory

Senior Daniel Zheng secured a 6-4, 6-1 victory in his singles match. Zheng attributed his success to adjusting his strategy, slowing down his shots, and matching his opponent’s pace to force errors. He noted initial nerves, stating, “The beginning was a little nerve-wracking since I haven’t played in a long time… But once I got the rust off and calmed down, it was smooth sailing from there.”

Sophomore Jonathan Hom too contributed with a 6-3, 6-1 win in singles, emphasizing consistency as his key to success. “I just tried to make myself more consistent, as opposed to going for more,” Hom said. “Once I realized that we’re here to have fun and play as a team, I started being more loose and feeling really good.”

Team Improvements and Future Outlook

Zheng highlighted the team’s technical improvements, particularly in net play – volleys and decision-making – compared to the previous year. He also emphasized a stronger team spirit and improved mentality. “I can see that we’re supporting each other a lot more, so we play with a lot more energy,” Zheng said. He credited the coach’s advice and team-building practices for fostering a positive environment, expressing excitement for the remainder of the season.

Cupertino’s Recent Results

Cupertino High School’s boys tennis team has faced a challenging season, with recent losses to Menlo School (7-0) and Gunn (5-2), according to Sports Illustrated. They secured a 4-3 win against Los Gatos, and a 5-2 win against Carmel. As of March 21, 2026, their season record stands at 0-2 in league play.

Upcoming Schedule for Cupertino

Cupertino is scheduled to face Los Altos Eagles in their next game. Sports Illustrated provides the full schedule, which includes matches against Monta Vista, Saratoga, and Milpitas in March and April.