By Mike Jenkins
The Pueblo High School men's tennis team has improved tremendously from its 2000 season, posting a 5-9 record.
Last season, the squad lost all 15 matches it played.
School officials say that although the team has improved, Pueblo finds it hard at times to field solid tennis teams because it serves a less-affluent neighborhood that lacks courts for practice. But they are out to change that perception.
"We are very proud of our tennis program," Pueblo athletic director Paul DeWeerdt said. "The coach really cares about the kids, and the kids put in a great effort."
Pueblo is located at Ajo Way and 16th Avenue, not a tennis neighborhood in coach John Davis' opinion. Davis is in his 12th year at Pueblo, and said although tennis appears to be a sport for the wealthy, there is a chance for it to succeed in less affluent neighborhoods.
"We were ranked number two in the 5A South region two years ago," Davis said. "We are very young and have some potential in all of our players."
Davis' team consists of 11 players: three freshmen, three sophomores and five juniors. He said that next year will be their time to shine.
"We have tremendous depth, and all our players are developing fine," Davis said. "We should be good for the next few years.
It is hard for these young players to find tennis courts in their neighborhood, though, Davis said.
Other than at Pueblo, Davis said there aren't many options. In fact, there are no tennis courts in South Tucson.
"Tennis is not a priority around here,"" Davis said. "The infrastructure growing up these days makes many of these kids want to play soccer, football, baseball or basketball."
Davis said that most of his players play year-round in Tucson. By playing in off-season leagues at Randolph Park and the South Side Academy, students in South Tucson get an opportunity to play tennis.
"Although interest in the sport isn't piqued in this neighborhood, we feel we put out a competitive team every time we step on the court," Davis said.
Junior Joey Suarez, one of five juniors on the team, agreed with Davis.
"Nobody comes to our matches," Suarez said. "The problem is that this is an individual sport with not much support. Nobody from Pueblo likes to watch tennis."
The program is funded by the school budget and the grants the school receives for sports. But the team also does a tremendous amount of fundraising. The funds pay for better uniforms and more tennis balls, among other things.
"We raise just as much as any other sports program here at Pueblo," Davis said. "The commitment by the players is very important."
DeWeerdt credits Davis for turning around the whole program. He said that before Davis got to Pueblo, the program was unstable.
"Coach Davis cares, and he is a great teacher," DeWeerdt said. "He is committed to winning and building a strong program at Pueblo."
With juniors Jorge Sepulveda and Joey Suarez returning for their senior season, as well as three freshmen, including Jordan Renteria, moving up in the ranks, Pueblo's future looks bright.
Renteria is looking forward to next season already.
"Hopefully next season will be better," Renteria said. "I am excited about next year."