Classen SAS duo each aiming for singles title
Sofia Acuna and Aimee Pham are on opposite sides of their high school tennis careers.
Acuna, a freshman at Classen SAS, is the team's No. 1 singles player. A rising star, she represents the future of the program, while Pham – the Comets' No. 2 player – is a seasoned veteran and in her final season.
Despite their gap in age and experience, the two are close, spending countless hours practicing and striving to make each other better.
Their companionship has paid off. As Acuna and Pham gear up for the Class 4A state tournament, they both have an unblemished record of 14-0. They each claimed regional titles this week and will try to keep their win streak alive when the biggest tournament of the year begins Friday at OKC Tennis Center.
For Classen SAS coach Anthony Pham – Aimee's father – everything has seemed to fall perfectly in place this season.
“All the stars kind of aligned for us,” he said.
Acuna has been exceptional throughout the season, and she's already comfortable competing on the big stage.
She had some nerves at regionals but settled in and dominated her opponents.
“In the final, I was pretty nervous,” she said. “I lost the first game, but then my nerves went away. It was a thrilling moment.”
Aimee Pham was just as impressive at regionals.
Her experience has helped her realize what to expect.
“I've just learned not to underestimate anyone,” she said. “Because in 4A especially, there's good players that will pop out of nowhere because it's just small schools that you've never heard of.”
The season has been filled with victories for the duo, but they've also faced some unusual circumstances.
Classen SAS doesn't have any tennis courts, so the players have to go elsewhere to practice, such as OKC Tennis Center and Goodholm Park.
Anthony Pham, a certified tennis professional who has been the head coach for Classen SAS the past four years, said it's been difficult to build the program.
Many of his players over the years have been part of the school's International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, which has strict rules on testing dates.
Some of his players haven't been able to compete during the regional and state tournaments.
“Our biggest trouble is that state and regionals are always in May,” he said.
“The seniors that are IB majors, it's very difficult for them to play because their testing is always on the same dates. … They're out taking tests those days.”
This isn't an issue for Acuna and Aimee Pham.
With Acuna being a freshman and Aimee majoring in piano and not having tests during the state tournament days, they're free to compete on the court this week.
They'll try to leave as state champions.
“They're exceptional kids,” Anthony Pham said. “I'm hoping we do well.”