TENNIS: QUESTIONS, COACHES, AND, COVID - COACH DURON

COACHES & COVID is a series of questions answered by the Fullerton College coaching staff in order to catch a glimpse of our Hornet sports programs and how they are coping during this pandemic.  This week, Head Tennis Coach, Dr. Yolanda Duron, sat down to answer a few questions about the men and women's tennis programs.

How are you maintaining those special connections with your student-athletes?

We have a group chat, so we are always communicating through that with updates. I also make a point to communicate with several athletes each week since March 2020.  Since tennis is a socially distant sport, we have been able to meet in person along with other students that have signed up for our falll PE 141 course. I am working with each team individually on certain days, so I get to check-in on them while we practice safe protocol. 

With COVID and no contact with your players, what are some of the training methods that you're doing to keep them sharp on the court?

We are using the Nike Training App right now. During March-May 2020 we were meeting on zoom to do workouts and check-in.  Right now, we do get to meet.  We don't have both the men's and women's team together for safety reasons due to COVID. On days we do not meet they work together to complete their workouts by getting a teammate to do facetime each other and workout together. 

Working with both the women and men's teams, how challenging is it to plan workouts around with all of the players? Are there specific actions or protocol that you go through to keep everyone safe?

We are mostly working on our singles games and footwork. Tennis is socially distant.  Our drills only allow 2 to 3 people on a court with each of them more than 15 feet apart. 

Which returning players do you feel will have positive impact on the season this spring?

For the men and women's teams, it is hard to say because the expectation is that everyone will step up. I believe each one of the men and women will make a very strong impact. They are all experienced and hungry to get their year back.  They are all so excited to play. I can see the maturity on the court and in their leadership.  I'm excited to see how the sophomores step up in their leadership roles. 

Are there a few new faces that you would like to highlight?

We definitely have new faces on our team.  For the men's team, we have Lav Dasic from Serbia. He is still at home but going through the student visa process right now. He is a great person and hard worker. We also have Miguel Mata and Bryan Rosas who are graduates from Katella High School.  They are very diligent and will make a positive impact on our team.  

For the women's team, Haena So and Katie Castillo from Cerritos are our newest additions. Haena So is a graduate from Cerritos High School and Katie Castillo is a graduate from La Mirada High School.  It is great to see local talent wanting to have the college tennis experience. 

What are your team goals for this upcoming year?

Our current goals are to continue fostering a strong bond between each other, improve our fitness, learn how to play smart singles and doubles, and do well in the classroom.

Our main goal is to have the chance to compete. Winning and losing will take care itself. 

Everyone please keep wearing your masks so we can start competing and giving high-fives!

If you could have a weekend pass from COVID what would you do? What do you miss the most from this isolation?

I would travel to Austin, Texas to visit my family without worrying about the chance of giving COVID to my family. I miss seeing all the students, my student-athletes, and coworkers. I miss going to friends' homes for a fun dinner party. I also miss giving high-fives to my student-athletes. 

When you're not teaching or coaching, what do you enjoy doing? Any hobbies?

I play Beach Tennis.  It is a combination of volleyball, tennis, and badminton in the sand. I am also learning Italian.

Since COVID and quarantine began, I have been working out 5 days a week to relieve stress. I exercise with Melissa Acosta on Instagram (@meliacosta14).  This is my newest hobby and it is great because there are people working out together from all over the world. 

What inspires you in life? What motivates you to motivate others?

I am inspired by others and their stories. I really like to learn so I like to learn how others have spoken up for change in our world so we can continue to grow as a society. I am motivated to help others every time I see small progressions of improvement from my students and others. I also love to learn from other coaches and learn from their experiences so I can build a successful program. 

We have a saying "Once a Hornet, Always a Hornet", what is it you love about Fullerton College?

I love the diversity of our students. I see myself in our students because I am the first in my immediate family to graduate from college and I first attended a community college. I gained self-confidence while at community college. I love how Fullerton College is a steppingstone for students to reach their goals. I see many transformations from our students and to me that means we are doing a fantastic job at FC!