LA MIRADA, Calif. --- When Biola's sports programs returned to practices on campus a few months ago, Head Coach David Goodman's tennis teams were some of the first to have a semblance of normalcy, even if safety protocols gave the student-athletes and coaches a few new wrinkles to navigate. 

When they were first allowed to return to the courts, student-athletes had to avoid touching tennis balls with their hands to steer clear of sharing implements and were only allowed to participate in singles play to maximize distancing. The Eagles were eventually able to graduate to singles and doubles match play with their teammates as the semester progressed. But even amid the limitations of those early days, Coach Goodman still saw a display of high-level talent and a drive to get better from both teams. 

"The newcomers have been fantastic," said Goodman. "They are a hard-working group that is passionate about our sport. And I have already seen them make strides to improve in this short amount of time."

Five student-athletes from the women's teams and seven from the men's roster were able to live at Biola or in the surrounding area to participate in practices during the fall. The Eagles knew they were missing some cherished members on both teams who faced restrictions or tough decisions that led them to study remotely. But the teams responded to the challenge by really banding together and connecting as one cohesive group. 

There was already the sense that Biola's tennis teams were really just one big group because the two programs shared the same head coach. But the shared experience of studying and training in the current environment really made that sentiment noticeable. Conversations in-between drills often centered around shared classes or other aspects of living on-campus. And the student-athletes' appreciation of that relational investment from their peers and coaches led to genuine enjoyment of community. 

"The team is fun and I love the team dynamic! Everyone gets along and every practice goes by so fast," said Mary Brascia, who transferred to Biola this semester from University of Dayton. "We hang out a lot outside of tennis and there are good vibes all around. I can also already tell Coach Goodman cares about developing us as players and all-around people."

On the men's side, freshman Isaac Córdova echoed Brascia's sentiment about the friendly team dynamic and his positive experience with Coach Goodman.

"I have really enjoyed how incredibly close we became as a team within a short amount of time, everyone gets along so well and it's made all of us such good friends," said Córdova. "I've also really appreciated how patient and down to earth Coach Goodman is. He has so much knowledge about the game that I admire."

Córdova continued, explaining how his start to college has been fulfilling even with the restrictions put in place by safety protocols.

"Being a freshmen and having this be my first college experience definitely has been an adjustment for me compared to high school," said Córdova. "However, this semester has been miles better then any of my high school years just because of how at home all my teammates make me feel, even during these crazy times."

Perspectives like Córdova's were apparent in each student-athlete at the Biola Tennis Center as they trained with and encouraged each other. That grateful tone expressed by his players confirmed a number of things for Coach Goodman. First, it was the great decision for his programs to return to practices this Fall. Second, these players' talents on the court will only be improved by the strength and togetherness they exhibited this fall. 

"To my conversations with them it sounds like they are really excited to be at Biola. I think they were especially happy to arrive this fall considering they have been mostly isolated for five to six months straight," said Goodman. "Obviously it's still a tough situation, but our men's and women's programs are really making the best of it. I think the men's and women's team are really getting along well and they are banding together and forming close friendships."

In addition to the new group of student-athletes, assistant coach Sam Murphy has really hit the ground running and quickly became an integral member of the coaching staff. A graduate of Ottawa University Arizona, Murphy immediately stepped in to lead drills and serve as a hitting partner when needed. But he's also done an excellent job with his responsibilities behind the scenes, capturing practices on the Biola Tennis instagram account and leading the recruiting efforts for recent signee Alexandria Mann. 

As grateful as the Eagles were to make the Biola Tennis Center home again, the repetition of their drills and contests at practice only whetted their appetite all the more to actually face opponents again. But when that day does come it's absolutely certain that these teams will know how to push each other to become better players. They've spend weeks being each other's biggest supporters and biggest challengers all rolled into one. And the entire roster has already seen how this group of newcomers has increased the depth of talent at all six flights.