CHULA VISTA – There was a moment in Mater Dei Catholic's tennis match with Bonita Vista last month when Danie Corona had heard enough.
The pinging of cowbells had gone on for what seemed like hours, but there was little Corona could do.
The high school match was being played on Bonita Vista's home court at Southwestern College. When it's your house, you make the rules.
“These people were so annoying with their little bells,” said Corona. “If it would have been here (at Mater Dei), we wouldn't have let them. But since we were at their courts, we had to deal with it.”
Welcome to life on the Crusaders girls tennis team. A life where practices are held nearly four miles from Mater Dei's new campus. Where every match is on the road and home-court advantage doesn't exist.
“It's hard,” Jenny Borck said. “Instead of going to practice at our school like every other team does for other sports, we have to get changed and go here.”
“Here” is a small community park nestled on a hill at the end of a cul-de-sac. It's a tranquil site with two tennis courts for 16 girls. There are no bathrooms in sight.
“We have three parents with Suburbans to help me with the rides,” coach Lea Borck said. “We're pretty much stuck here when we get here.”
The team's situation is a product of insufficient funds. Borck said a plan to build tennis courts on campus was approved, but the money dried up before construction could begin.
“It's been a real challenge,” Borck said. “With 16 girls and two coaches and two courts, I've turned away 30 girls already. We're hoping for new courts so I can train more.”
Despite the unusual amount of travel, Mater Dei has enjoyed success. Last season, the Crusaders were undefeated champions of the South Bay League. They duplicated the feat this year as unbeaten champs of the larger-school Mesa League.
Top players for Mater Dei include senior Natalia Gomez, junior Ludovicka Spinola and sophomores Mariel Castillo, Vivian Moreno and Jenny Borck, the coach's daughter.
The Crusaders opened the San Diego Section Division III playoffs with a win before being eliminated in the quarterfinals.
Lea Borck, who became head coach two seasons ago, is credited with being an important part of Mater Dei's winning formula. Four hours a day, five days a week, Borck has taught tennis fundamentals to her players, some of whom hadn't held a racket before joining the team.
“High school tennis is not very popular, so I have to train them from September to (November),” Borck said. “Every year I have to start new. It's a big challenge, especially because we don't have tennis courts.”
Not having home courts may be a source of strength, too. Traveling to every match and always playing the visitor role has allowed the Crusaders to develop unity.
“It brings us closer together because we're always together,” Jenny Borck said. “Everyone's going to be proud of ourselves because we've had to work a lot harder than other teams.”
