The Foothill College men’s tennis team dominated Northern California the past seven years – and this season was no different.
Guided by coach Dixie Macias, who has been with the program for 25 years, the Owls went undefeated in the regular season (19-0) and cruised to the Coast Conference championship last month.
Next came the Northern California playoffs. Foothill overwhelmed its three opponents – including American River in the final – to claim the regional title and advance to the state championships in Ventura once again.
That’s where the Owls met their match. Irvine Valley beat them 5-2. Brenden Lum had a hand in both of Foothill’s victories. He won No. 2 singles before joining forces with Los Altos High graduate Braden Holt for a doubles’ victory.
Macias attributes the team’s success to its stable of talented players from around the globe. He fondly refers to his squad as the “United Nations of tennis teams.”
“We are able to draw top recruits from all over the world,” Macias said. “Look at the guys (on the roster) – Spain, Russia, Latvia.”
That makes the Owls different – and dynamic – the coach added.
“Our team is not the normal community college team, we are at a much higher level,” Macias said.
Although the players come from all over, they have created a bond and support one another, according to the coach.
“I think that’s why we’re successful – because we work together to get successful,” he said.
Hard work helps, too.
“They don’t want it (success) handed to them,” Macias said. “They are willing to work for it.”
He added that falling just shy of winning the state title would only motivate the players coming back next year.
“It was a good season – I would like to have a different ending – but there is always next year,” Macias said. “We plan to be back stronger next year.”
