By: Estrella McDaniel
After years of Coaching Girls Tennis at Redwood High School, Coach Lewis has decided that this year is her time to retire.
This may come as a shock and disappointment seeing as she led the tennis girls into many victories. Claire Yang, ’19, said, “I am actually very surprised and a little sad that she is retiring for good.” This change has definitely affected the teammates already. Coach Lewis feels this is the time for her to move forward with her life as she says “Redwood tennis has been such an important part of my life as a player and as a coach. I know I will miss being on the courts but I just wanted to spend more time with family and travel.”
Coach Lewis inspired the team whether it was on or off the courts. Yang said, “Coach had a huge impact on my life, in the sense that she helped develop me as a person with more self confidence, leadership, and more positivity. She shaped me into the person that I am today.” Lewis has changed these girls lives for the better and it is really hard to see her go, she doesn’t believe it should have any change on how the seasons will go. Lewis said, “There are 4 returning varsity members and the JV team is very strong. This years Freshman class is outstanding so things look bright for the future.”
As the years went on for Coach Lewis she knew that she was going to retire it was just to the point where she didn’t know when it was going to be. Lewis said, “I knew this was my last season at the beginning of summer tennis. I wanted to spend this last season enjoying each moment, and cherishing each memory with my players. I’ve been so blessed over the years at Redwood so it was important to me to let my team know how much they meant to me.” Yang believes the team will change without Coach Lewis around anymore. Yang said, “A coach is an essential part to a sports team. The coach is an advisor that decides what to do at practice and sets the goals down for the entire team.”
This is going to be a hard thing to adapt to for Redwood High and as the years go on we will go to remember how huge of an impact Coach Lewis had on the Tennis team and here at Redwood, because once a Ranger always a Ranger.
Tags: adjustment, girls tennis, Redwood, redwood high, redwood high school, retire, sad, tennis, winner