Highline College Women's Tennis

05/07/2025

05/06/2025

Please read: a letter from Head Coach Laura Rosa

Dear TBird family, I’ve always held the belief that you have to play the whole match to know the ending. Sometimes you think you’ve got the tiebreak under control and all of a sudden you get thrown a surprise slice.

The reality is that every match will inevitably end. Sometimes the ending comes by way of winning a fairytale NWAC Championship (Go TBirds!) But even in the glow of that moment there is always the chance of an abrupt and unexpected turn of events.

It is with deep sadness that I need to announce that the NWAC made the difficult decision that beginning next year, tennis will no longer be offered as a sport in the conference.

This was not an easy decision and no one wins. Ultimately we have always been vulnerable with so few teams participating, and when one fell, the rest toppled.

I want you all to know that I do not regret one single minute of the time we spent together creating this special family. Folks closest to me who have known this announcement was coming have asked if I’m sad, or maybe mad. How could I be? These last nine years have held some of the greatest moments of my life. I’m most proud of how we always faced challenges together and how we have continued to root on each other post-competition.

I think coaching tennis might just be where the phrase “putting in blood, sweat and tears” comes from. But the truth is, I always got ten times more out of my teams than I ever poured into them.

So thank you. Thank you for the six hour van rides, the stressful grade checks, the late night texts, the team dinners and the goofy cheers. Thank you for trusting me, laughing with me, lifting me on the hard days and allowing me the honor of staying connected in all your lives as you moved on.

It has been my greatest honor to share court space with you.

Forever a TBird, Coach Laura

05/06/2025

Introducing the 2025 NWAC Tennis Champions! Adriana, Anna, Caley, Cassidy, Dani, Henleigh, Jeslyn, Sophie and Zanna.

Thank you for gifting the team an unforgettable Florida sunset photoshoot. 💚🎾

05/04/2025

WE DID IT! The Highline College Thunderbirds are the 2025 NWAC Tennis Champions!

This was a true TEAM win as we narrowly defeated a tough TVCC 5-4. With the TBirds up 4-3 (needing 5) 2 courts were still in play, but both were down. Caley Buchan and Zanna Orvald fought for every point and refused to give in so the other might just have enough time to turn it around.

Caley was down 2-6 in a third set tiebreak when Zanna cheered her on from her own battle 6 courts away. Caley came back and won the tiebreak 10-8 to clinch the match for the TBirds.

So much more to post and say about this Fairytale weekend, but for now… WHO WE ARE IS WHY WE WIN!

05/03/2025

CHAMPIONSHIP DAY! The TBirds take on TVCC in the Championship Match today at 11am. Let’s go TBirds!

05/02/2025

No. 1 seed Highline advances to the final tomorrow with 6-3 win over #4 Spokane! 🎾

Thunderbirds win five of six singles matches to reach 7th-straight NWAC final!

05/02/2025

Honoring our FRESHMEN today!

04/30/2025

Last practice before we are CHAMPIONSHIP-BOUND tomorrow!

04/30/2025

Here we goooo! The TBirds enter the NWAC Championship tournament as the #1 seed. First round is Friday May 2 at the Yakima Tennis Center (outdoor courts) at 9:30am.

04/30/2025

Celebrating alums: Danielle Mendoza

TBird alum and Assistant Coach

This season we will be highlighting our alums and their stories as we celebrate the people who made TBird Tennis a true family.

“Where do I begin?

Being an athlete on the team has brought SO much meaning to my life. My teammates guided me on the path of belonging and knowing what it means to love yourself. Tennis alone has helped me see my strengthens and weaknesses on and off the court. I could not have done it without my coaches and teammates. They truly have made my experience memorable. From grinding at practice to laughing on roadtrips. Every second with this team was worth it.

I remember the very end of my sophomore year Laura called me in, and we were figuring out my next step after Highline. And the best advice she gave me was “we’re going to ride the wave.” With no rush whatsoever I set out on my path and simply enjoyed the ride and journey of what came next. Years later, I have found my passion. I obtained my license in Massage Therapy and a new career. And now, slowly but surely, I’m expanding my horizons within the field.

Full circle for me came a few years post graduation at Highline, Laura sends me a message asking if I want to come back to the team as a coach. Without hesitation, it was an immediate YES! Now I’m coaching along side my coaches! It’s humbling seeing the team from a different perspective. Instead of you looking up to your coaches, you’re the coach being looked up to. The culture of this team is so special. “Who we are is why we win.” What we bring to the court, how we hold ourselves, our strengths, embracing our weakness, the power of women in sports. We came to make our mark and leave a legacy.

Huge thank you to Coach Laura, Makoa, my teammates and all the athletes I’ve gotten to coach over the years.

Forever a T-Bird! 💚🤍”