During weekdays, when most students on campus are heading to class, studying or leaving campus, intense competition is unfolding just moments away. Shoes squeak against the court as balls slice off racket faces. Players hold their breath between serves, anticipating their opponent’s next move. Every rally builds tension. No point unearned.
And yet too often, very few are there to witness.
The women’s tennis team is one of the most dedicated and competitive programs on campus, but its efforts remain unsung. Led by Megan Lowery Haber, better known as “Coach Meg,” the team competes weekly from January to March, with hopes of a playoff push into April. Matches are free to watch, the courts are here on campus, and the level of competition is elite.
What’s missing isn’t effort—it’s a crowd.
“It just would make it more exciting having people there supporting us, keeping the energy high,” Sophomore Presley Chateau said.
Cheering in tennis isn’t just background noise; it’s energy and momentum. The sport doesn’t have a marching band or packed bleachers, and that’s what makes each voice matter. When matches come down to the wire, support from the sidelines can be the difference.
“It’s kind of like chess in a way,” Sophomore Sydney Wimbley said.
It may look simple, just a ball going back and forth over a net. But if you stop and watch even for just a few minutes, you’ll see that simple is the last word to describe it. Tennis is stamina wrapped in strategy. It’s footwork, angles, timing and mental toughness packed into a rally.
While tennis is one of the most-watched sports worldwide, its popularity is not mirrored in the U.S., particularly with college-age students. While it may seem repetitive to a casual viewer, it’s admired by longtime followers for its complexity and technical nuance.
Don’t believe it? You can watch for yourself “during the week at 2 o’clock,” Haber said. Upcoming home matches include March 17 against Desert and March 19 vs. San Diego City College, both at 2 p.m. The schedule can be viewed at grossmontgriffins.com/sports/wten, and additional updates will be posted on the @ghousetennis Instagram.
For anyone who’s never watched tennis before, Haber has simple advice: “Give it a shot. If you watch a good tennis match, you’ll be hooked.”
