As the school year winds down, the varsity boys tennis team’s senior players are reflecting on the years they’ve dedicated to the program and their growth, both on and off the court. According to the head coach, Bryan Plinske, this final season is about more than just wins and losses. He’s given insight on each senior spotlight, demonstrating how it’s about leadership, memories, and leaving a lasting impression on the team.
CAL BRADLEY: “No matter what the score is, I can rely on Cal to be in every point.”
DHEERAJ SAHARTHY: “Dheeraj has the heart of a lion. he spent the off season improving leaps and bounds.”
DHRUV PATEL: ““Dhruv lets his play on the court speak for him.”
ETHAN RODRIGUEZ: “One would be hard pressed to find a better teammate.”
BAASIM AKHTAR: “Baasim does what he does incredibly well.”
Focusing in on senior Baasim Akhtar, he has grown into a confident and reliable player over his four years on varsity boys tennis, especially on the doubles court where he’s built stronger communication and a tougher mentality with his partner. Now a senior, he helps lead the team by giving advice and motivating younger players, emphasizing the importance of effort and consistency:
“Go to practices and actually put effort into trying to make yourself a better player, because it actually helps and you can always improve.”
One of his favorite memories came during his junior year, when he won a close match against Antioch in a third-set super tiebreaker, 10–8. Looking ahead, Bassim plans to continue playing tennis recreationally with friends and values how the skills he developed can carry over into other racket sports like pickleball and badminton.
