Trinity Prep tennis teams feed off each other's success

There’s something special happening at Trinity Preparatory School. 

And it’s happening on the tennis courts. 

Both the boys and girls varsity tennis teams hold records of 9-1 — a sign not only of depth between the two teams but also a strong team bond. 

The Trinity Prep Saints aren’t strangers to winning seasons in tennis: The boys and girls teams both went undefeated last year through the regular season. The boys eventually fell in the state quarterfinals, while the girls fell in regionals. 

The Saints have cruised through this year in similar fashion and hope to take their success to the next level in the tournaments. 

“It’s just business as usual,” Trinity Prep senior Stefano Lopez said. 

But what is it about the Trinity Prep Saints that’s kept them so competitive? Talent wins at the end of the day, Coach Sam Stark said, and the Saints have plenty of it on both teams. 

The boys team has a strong top four that’s interchangeable without any drop in play, Stark said. That group of two seniors, a junior and a sophomore has made it hard for opposing teams. 

“We’re fortunate to have some good players, and we’re kind of deep,” Stark said. “We have pretty strong people all the way down in our roster.” 

The girls team is led by junior Samantha DiMaio, who Stark said is among the top players in the state. She also has the support of two more seniors on the team. 

But another factor in Trinity Prep’s success is what happens off the courts. The program is unique in that one coach leads both the boys and girls teams. They train together, hear the pre-game talks together and even warm up together. 

They feed off of each other’s success, Stark said. 

“The teams play and work together in a lot of ways, so it’s a true team atmosphere with the boys and the girls, which is kind of fun, and I think maybe different from a lot of other teams,” Stark said. “They get along so well as a group that it seems to be working thus far. 

“A part of the Trinity culture is these kids are so supportive of one another,” he said. “The boys are watching the girls, and the girls are watching the boys. They really care about everyone’s performance.” 

Lopez said it’s that chemistry between the two teams that pushes them to play harder. 

“Chemistry is everything,” Lopez said. “If you like each other, then you’re going to help each other either strategically or cheer them on.” 

Trinity Prep senior Shea Perera said one of the biggest highlights for the girls team this year was beating Windermere Prep for the first time in about 10 years. She added that she hopes this will be the year the boys and girls teams both play in state together, cheering for each other on Florida’s biggest stage for high school tennis. 

“We’re really working hard to all go to states,” Perera said. “Everyone has that feeling of wanting to push each other.” 

The Saints are hoping that team mentality will help them leave their mark on Trinity Prep history — for both teams to go all the way in state. An empty space for a banner in the gymnasium is waiting.  

“We were all talking in the gym, and we were seeing all of these banners from different sports,” Lopez said. “I remember us saying that we just want to come back to this school after we graduate and see something from us up there so we can say ‘That’s ours.’ I know we’re going to shoot for the win.” 

Trinity Prep will compete in the tennis districts on April 10 to 11 at Red Bug Lake Park.