The San Diego Christian College women’s team recently defeated Arizona Christian College, 6-3, thanks to “Team Sarah.” The freshmen duo of No. 1 Sarah Schaerer from Switzerland and No. 2 Sarah Urbanek from Germany helped the Hawks to their 4-0 record in the Golden State Athletic Conference this season. San Diego Christian College is 7-5 overall, and are the defending GSAC Conference Champions.

With the season coming to a close, San Diego Christian College Women’s Coach Jim Bodor has encouraged his team to keep playing solid tennis. The Hawks previously lost, 6-3, to Arizona Christian College in an earlier match to even out their meetings 1-1 this season, and were thrilled with this victory.  The San Diego Christian men’s team defeated defending GSAC conference champion Arizona Christian College, 6-3, in an upset victory. They are now 6-5 overall, and 3-1 in conference.  

 

Schaerer and Urbanek, also nicknamed “Team Sarah,”are excited to be living in San Diego and experience life in the United States. Both enjoy playing on California hard courts  in the sunshine.

“I grew up playing on outdoor clay and indoor carpet,” said Urbanek, from Hamm, Germany. “It’s nice to have a consistent bounce on the hard surface and I’m glad I don’t have to think about sliding.”

Other observations from “Team Sarah” include playing sports at the university level, which is not available in their respective countries. San Diego Christian College offers athletic scholarships as part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) association that promotes teamwork, sportsmanship, respect, fairness and doing one’s best regardless of the outcome.

 

 

“Back at home we play on our own,” said Sarah Schaerer. “Here we play for our team and we are part of something really great. There are people who care about you. It’s like having a family in America.”

San Diego Christian College hosts Hope International University on April 7 at Lake Murray Tennis Club in San Diego. The GSAC Tournament will be held on April 19-20 at Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

“Every match is so critical,” said Bodor, also the San Diego Christian College men’s head coach. “We have a shot at a repeat (conference) title but much depends on what happens with the next few weeks.”