Senior player helped Tech tennis come into its own

Hyun James Kim / Special to the Home News

Southeast Career and Technical Academy senior tennis player Marlai Sai returns a high overhand volley during a recent match

By Brent Hinckley

Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008 | midnight

Hyun James Kim / Special to the Home News

Southeast Career and Technical Academy senior Marlai Sai walks toward off the court to retrieve a ball during a recent match.

Four years ago, when the Southeast Career and Technical Academy announced it would have a tennis program, then-freshman Marlai Sai couldn't wait to join.

"I was so excited to play," said Sai, now a senior. "I started practicing and trying to get ready to play."

Sai wasn't much of a tennis player before high school, but when given the chance she took to it quickly.

"Once I started playing a lot, I just fell in love with it," she said.

Now, as her final season comes to an end, she'll always remember what it felt like to build the program.

"It was frustrating, because we lost a lot. I had a lot of fun though, and made a lot of friends," Sai said.

It hasn't been easy playing for Tech. It did not win a match its first two years, but that didn't keep the program from growing.

Coach John Pauli said he ran an intramural program in the spring and had 30 girls come out.

"Girls really like tennis and they're coming out to play," Pauli said. "With the success we had this year, I think the program will continue to grow."

Tech won three matches this year including the season opener at Moapa Valley on Sept. 2. Sai went 3-0 in singles play, while the doubles team of freshmen Alexis Sanchez and Maria Millette also went 3-0 to lead the Roadrunners to an 11-7 win.

"It felt amazing to finally win a match," Sai said. "It had been so hard not winning those first two years."

Tech's second win was a 16-2 victory against Boulder City High on Sept. 16. It also picked up a 14-4 win against Foothill on Sept. 23.

Tech didn't qualify as a team for the Sunrise Regional tournament, but Sai qualified in the singles bracket.

"It's going to be a lot of fun. I'm glad I get to represent the school like this," Sai said.

Pauli said it's going to be tough to watch a player he's worked with the last three seasons leave his team.

"She's a great player, and I've really enjoyed having her her the last few years," he said. "Marlai has really turned herself into a good player and was a big part of this team's success."

She will be joined in the postseason by Sanchez and Sanchez's sister, freshman Priscilla Sanchez. Both are in the doubles bracket.

"It feels good to be here. We had good success this year," Priscilla Sanchez said.

The team tournament started on Oct. 4, while the individual singles and doubles tournaments begin Oct. 14.

Brent Hinckley can be reached at 990-7822 or brent.hinckley@hbcpub.com.