Justin-Siena features two freshmen, Julia Lokey and Jenna Curtola, in the first and second singles slots. Returning singles players round out the top five singles positions. The last singles position and the doubles teams are up for grabs with many experienced returning players. The strongest teams in the MCAL are Talmapias, Redwood, and Branson, but victories over Justin’s traditional rival Marin Catholic and victories over San Rafael, San Marin, Drake, Terra Linda, and Novato should guarantee a winning record and a trip to the playoffs.

Justin-Siena’s tennis coaching staff values a rounded student experience above a singular emphasis on athletics. Of all high school sports, only tennis and golf are sports high school students can play and perfect over the next 70 years. The Braves tennis mission statement says that if a Justin student can come away from their high school experience with a love of tennis and enough exposure to the strategies and tactics of the game, they have gained something in high school they can use for the rest of their lives.

Senior Profile: Georgia Birkbeck
Georgia “G” Birkbeck has lettered on the Justin tennis team for the four years since she was a Freshman. When she starts, she plays on the doubles teams supplying senior leadership for younger players. Georgia lives in Napa and came to Justin from Blue Oak School. In addition to tennis, “G” was a member of the Braves’ lacrosse team and enjoys sailing with the Marin Marin Academy and the San Francisco Yacht Club. She is a member of the Key Club, The Future Business Leaders of America, The Young Republicans, and Relay for Life. She has been elected Class Commissioner and received the Economics Award.

After graduation from Justin-Siena, Georgia intends to enroll at the University of Michigan, Georgetown, or the University of California at Santa Barbara and major in Economics or Finance.

Senior Profile McKenzie Amaral
McKenzie “Kenzie” Amaral and her co-captain Sarah Ryan make up Justin’s first doubles team playing in the One Doubles slot during matches. This is McKenzie’s third year on the team and the second year she has been paired together with Sarah. Their teamwork and experience has earned them the first doubles spot. Where Sarah generally attacks at the net, McKenzie uses her grit, speed, and agility to run balls down, return them deep so Sarah can deliver the put-away shot at the net. “Kenzie” has no problem joining Sarah at the net on a short ball to put away her own kill shots. McKenzie and Sarah were a reason Justin-Siena was chosen for an “at-large” bid for the Northern California Section (NCS) Championships.

McKenzie is a transplant from the Braves golf team, having joined the tennis team her sophomore year. She lives in Fairfield and attended St. John’s Lutheran Grade School. She also played on Justin-Siena’s Lacrosse team besides the golf team. She is a member of the Key Club, Future Businesswomen of America, and Lasallian Youth.

After graduating from Justin-Siena, McKenzie intends to enroll at either Texas Christian University, (TCU), Elon in North Carolina, or Vanderbilt University and major in Fashion Merchandising and/or Communication.

Senior Profile Micaela Tandinco
Singles Captain Micaela Tandinco is the only four-year starter on the current Justin varsity tennis team. Micaela started as a doubles team member her freshman year and graduated to playing singles her sophomore year, and has since been a mainstay of the singles bracket. On Monday, against San Marin, in typical Micaela form, she ground out a two hour and fifteen minute victory in 900 heat. After losing the first set in a 7-6 (7-4) tie breaker, she came back to notch a 7-5 second set win, then went on to win the super tie breaker 10-8. She feels the main advantage she gets from her tennis experience is composure and confidence.