Father knows best works for Lodi’s Barajas
Accomplishments: Nikki Barajas has played many sports growing up.
Now the Lodi High girls tennis player is focused on one sport.
In two Tri-City Athletic League matches last week, the junior who is the Flames’ No. 2 singles player, won both of her matches over Lincoln’s Kate Shea and Tracy’s Isabella Ellis. Entering Thursday’s match against St. Mary’s, Barajas has an 81 record, and Lodi is 4-0 in the TCAL and 8-1 overall.
“I was focused on being confident with myself,” Barajas said. “I have to believe that I’ll do good.”
Part of Barajas’ game that sometimes throws off opponents is serving left-handed. Shea, who Barajas defeated 6-1, 6-1, had limited success in adjusting to Barajas’
serves because of the direction of the ball coming off Barajas’ racket.
“Serving left-handed does add a little spin to it,” said Barajas, who has been playing tennis year-round for the last five years. “It does through them (opponents) off. They’re use to the right (handed serves).”
Another strong point to Barajas’ game is ground strokes. That and finding an opponents’ weakness that could range from playing at the net to serving the ball and what part of the court they like to play their game helps Barajas figure out how to beat them.
“I look for their weaknesses first,” Barajas said. “I know a lot of players hit the ball hard. But I do different things and figure out (what the opponent counters back).”
Beating Lincoln, which took second place in the TCAL last fall, with an 8-1 score last week was huge for Barajas and Lodi.
“It was really cool,” said Barajas of Lodi beating Lincoln. “It gave us lots of confidence, and believe we can win league.”
Barajas feels this team is very capable of winning the TCAL title this season Experience supports that thought that includes returning No. 1 singles player Emma Canepa, and other singles players in juniors Mia Carouba, Jenna Dougherty, Julia Sherman and Julia Archibeque, and the No. 1 doubles’ team of sisters Alyssa Mataga and Kaylee Mataga.
“I think we will do good this year,” Barajas said. “We have some very strong players.”
Before she started playing tennis, Barajas played soccer and basketball. But at age 9, Barajas started playing tennis.
“I just wanted to work the hardest in that one,” said Barajas of tennis.
Her dad, Adam, had studied the sport; from serving the ball to net play to playing the lines to backspins on the ball and groundstrokes.
“It was a sport my family grew up with,” said Nikki Barajas, whose older sisters Macy and Taylor also played at Lodi High. “My dad taught me and my sisters when we were kids. He knew a lot about it, and he watched it a lot on TV. He taught himself.”