Junior Macy Mascarenas has played tennis from the age of 9. This year she is a part of the newly formed FC tennis team, and through this, she hopes to become a better player through the coaching from her mom.

As she continues to play tennis for the 7th year, Mascarenas strives to improve her serves and to become more patient.

“I think what really helped my tennis game is just to be able to humble myself to accept advice from people who know better than you,” Mascarenas said. “I would go to lessons, listen to my mom, and just practice.”

Macy was first introduced to tennis by her uncles when she was ten. Her uncles used to frequently play tennis and thought that it looked fun, so she asked if she could join.

“Sometimes I would play tennis with my uncles but I really got into it when I was twelve,” Mascarenas said. “My mom joined a tennis club in 2010, a month later I joined too, creating the bond which we now have. I usually don’t win against my mom, but I have come pretty close. She’s more experienced and has better better strategies than me.”

Lori Mascarenas, Macy’s mother, is pleased that her daughter enjoys to play tennis.

“When I came home from winning the national title at Indian Wells Macy was so excited and happy for me that she wanted to immediately go to the courts and play,” Lori said. “I was exhausted from the long drive home but was so happy that she actually wanted to hit the ball that I went out and played.”

Lori was introduced to her favorite sport in high school. She played ping pong with her father frequently which may have triggered her love for tennis.

“I played tennis in high school and it was love at first sight,” Lori said. “There’s just something about the racquet and ball that appealed to me from the start.”

Mascarenas joined a club for youth tennis and with that experience she heightened her skills.

“I also played at a tennis club called Sierra Racket in elementary school,” Mascarenas said. “My teacher, Mike, was a really great teacher for me, because he is left handed, so it was easier to learn from him. The right handed people had to adjust to how I played but he knew exactly how to help me because I am left handed too. He understood the game better for me and that was very helpful.”

Although in previous years she has played other sports like volleyball and soccer. Yet, tennis is the only activity that she has been dedicated to and enjoyed, except football. Macy enjoys going with her father to see the USC Trojans play at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

“Despite tennis being my favorite sport to play, football is my favorite sport to watch,” Macy said. “I like how tennis is a very quiet and calming sport. It’s really easy to concentrate because there are few distractions. Also it isn’t extremely loud or as hardcore compared to other sports like football and soccer.”

Macy feels that her strength is angling the ball. She is left handed which gives her an advantage and benefits her technique.

“Although I have a powerful serve, I hardly get it in,” Mascarenas said. “I need to improve accuracy on my serves, because I am left handed it?s difficult to get the ball in consecutively. I use to be really bad about hitting the ball way out into nowhere, I had a lot of problems trying to control it. I still sometimes struggle controlling the ball, but it?s not as bad as it use to be.”

Tennis coach Lori Mascarenas, also Macy’s mother, regards Mascarenas as a hard worker and who has appreciable sportsmanship. Although Macy?s mother is her coach, she has no problem with it.

“Skills that Macy has improved in this season is playing at the net, being more aggressive, and serving the ball. She is always one of the first ones on the court, and one of the last ones off,” Mascarenas said. “She always has a positive attitude on and off of the court. Macy likes to compete, but also has fun. I encourage my daughter to be aggressive but also smile, have fun, and relax because if she doesn’t she will never want to pick up a racket again.”

Lori, being a professional tennis player, still encounters trials of teaching and playing a left-handed player.

“Lefty’s are really difficult to play against, in any sport, because the ball comes at you at such a different angle,” Mascarenas said. “They are a rare breed so when you have to play against them it’s always a challenge. Macy really makes me have to think because she’s got such a great advantage being left-handed. We have fun with it but it’s been hard coaching her because I don’t understand the left-handed game like I do the right-handed game.”

Fellow teammate Mariana Fikse, ’18 enjoys being on the team with Macy and sees her as a good example for others. According to Fikse, Mascarenas is always friendly and an astounding tennis player.

“Macy is really nice and encouraging,” Fikse said. “She always encourages us to do our best and to strive to become a better player, even if we mess up.”

Kylie Bell ’16, doubles partner and friend of Macy, enjoys playing with her and views her as a leader.

“Macy and I communicate well and I feel like we make a good doubles team,” Bell said. “I only played four games with her this season because I wasn’t allowed to play as a result of my transfer situation. Macy stepped up and fulfilled the goal of the number one player. When I was gone she had to play doubles with different player and carried the team very well.”

Lori cant wait to play tennis with her daughter in the future if she has the chance.

“I absolutely want to play with Macy as she grows older,” Lori said. “Tennis is a sport that can be played well into our later years, which is something I continue to drill into my players. Learn as a youngster and someday you will come back to it.”

Due to her love of the sport, Macy plans to continue to play tennis as long as she is able to.

“I’m excited to keep playing tennis and see myself grow throughout the year,” Mascarenas said. “I will definitely play on our team next year and as long as I can after.”

Follow the Feather via Twitter: @thefeather. This writer can be reached via Twitter: @_nataliatorres1.

For more sports, read the Oct. 13 article, Senior brings tenacity to volleyball team.