San Leandro High School’s girls varsity tennis captain Stephanie Lopez made history by securing the West Alameda County Conference (WACC) Singles Championship. Held at Chabot College in Hayward, the tournament brought together the top players from the region to fight for the championship title. This victory highlights Lopez’s 12-year tennis journey and her four-year career with San Leandro High School’s tennis team.
“What this championship means to me is that all my hard work throughout the season finally paid off and brought me validation within myself,” Lopez said.
For Lopez, this achievement is the result of years of hard work, determination, and growth as an athlete. She has been playing tennis for over a decade, polishing her skills and pushing herself to do her best in every match. Her consistent performance throughout the season led to her success at the WACC Singles Championship, where she outplayed her opponents to secure the title.
“The most challenging part of the tournament was waiting to compete, which led to me overthinking my skills,” she said. “And since tennis can become an individual sport, competing alone was an emotional roller coaster.”
Lopez’s success wasn’t just about her physical skill, her strong mental and extreme focus were key factors in her victory. San Leandro High School’s girls tennis coach, Jenna Dizon, reflected on her growth as a player.
“Stephanie’s game really reflects her love for tennis. She is consistent, collected, and always tries her best to stay in the match when it gets tough,” Dizon said.
Dizon also praised Lopez’s season accomplishments.
“On top of winning the WACC Shoreline Singles Tournament, she went undefeated in league matches and was also awarded WACC Shoreline Player of the Year. I’m very grateful to have worked with her and wish her the best in her future tennis endeavors,” Dizon added.
Lopez’s leadership extended off the court as well. 11th grade teammate Aileen Dang shared how Lopez’s dedication inspired her.
“She’s dedicated and puts her heart into the role she carries,” Dang said. “She motivated me a lot, she always encouraged me to come to practice, and we’d sometimes rally and practice on our own. She makes me want to become a better player myself.”
As she moves forward in her tennis career, Lopez’s story serves as an inspiration to athletes at San Leandro High and beyond. Her dedication, skill, and passion for the sport prove that hard work and determination lead to success.
