Boxer tennis boosted by standout freshmen
Stephanie Haugen
Issue date: 5/14/09 Section: Sports
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Even after their second place finish in the ITA Regional Tournament as a doubles duo last fall, facilitating the team's most successful NWC Championship finish since 1983, and their first and second team All-NWC selections, Goya and Yoshimoto still give off the laid-back vibe of dedicated and sensible athletes.
Both Hawaii natives, they came to Pacific with hopes of being college athletes. In her first year of college competition Goya finished with a singles record of 8-9, and Yoshimoto finished with a singles record of 12-6.
For Yoshimoto, her love for tennis started in elementary school when "a friend asked me to play. I've stuck with it ever since." In addition to her high school tennis team, Yoshimoto participated in outside league play and various tournaments.
Goya started her career in the seventh grade under the influence of her parents, who were also tennis players. "I guess they wanted me to be like them."
Yoshimoto loves the competition of tennis and "representing the school." Goya shares these feelings and explained she enjoys "competing as an individual, but it's also a team sport. You get the gist of both."
She admits when the season is not in full swing, she takes a break from tennis. During the season however is a different story. Their schedule is packed with team running practices and hitting practice four days a week in addition to matches two to three times per week.
Goya and Yoshimoto, along with the rest of the team have been working on forming a successful season since the fall. Putting in long hours of practice, the team worked toward reaching their full potential. Goya explains, "From the beginning of the season, I think I knew we had a chance."
Perhaps the team's sturdy connection has contributed to their recent rise in success. According to both women, the teammates have created a strong bond and everybody gets along well on the whole. Although the team knows when to enjoy each other's company and not take things too seriously, it is not all play and no work. Goya explained, "We know when to have fun and when it's crunch time."
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