Gabriela Almanza’s High School Tennis Career
Throughout her high school tennis career, Gabriela Almanza consistently participated in weekend age-group tournaments, maintaining a busy schedule before, after, and even during each season. However, the experience of competing with her team at Lake Nona High School, which finished as state runners-up, greatly enriched her athletic journey.
“Winning individually is quite different from achieving victory as part of a team,” Almanza reflected. “The support of my teammates cheering for each other adds a lot of value. I always felt motivated to perform well for the team’s sake.”
Impressive Achievements
This sense of teamwork translated into impressive success for Almanza, who concluded her season with a flawless 14-0 record in singles matches. Her achievements have earned her the title of 2025 Sentinel Varsity Player of the Year in girls tennis. Over her high school career, she recorded an outstanding singles mark of 42 wins to just 3 losses, and an aggregate of 81 wins against 6 losses when including doubles.
State Championship Wins
Last month, she showcased her prowess by clinching her second consecutive FHSAA Class 4A doubles state championship, this time partnering with junior Aspen Wooten. In the previous year, she achieved the same accolade alongside senior Elietta Said.
“Winning doubles state championships in back-to-back years with two different partners was a really special experience,” Almanza noted.
Future Aspirations
Looking ahead to her collegiate career, Almanza has committed to play for Division I St. Francis University in Pennsylvania, ranking as one of Florida’s top 35 high school tennis players. According to her coach, Tom Beard, Almanza thrived in her senior season without the added pressure of choosing a college, proving to be a formidable competitor and inspiring leader for her team, particularly for freshman players Ariana Barber and Brianna Torres who joined her at the state tournament.
Highlighting Other Players
Several other standout players also made a mark this season, including Mariangel Pernia from Lake Buena Vista, a state qualifier who was among the few to defeat Almanza in the regular season, and Aspen Wooten, with a strong singles record and a state title win with Almanza in doubles. Freshman Ariana Barber contributed significantly to Lake Nona’s achievement in the 4A state finals, suffering only one regular season singles loss.
Recognitions
Recognitions were also extended to various honorable mentions including players from different schools within the region, showcasing the depth of talent across schools eligible for the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) state series. Sentinel’s coverage of these achievements reflects a collaborative effort between the editorial team and local coaches, highlighting the best of young athletes in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, and southwest Volusia counties.
