Girls’ Tennis: Estancia’s coach de los Santos resigns

Estancia High girls’ tennis coach Rachel de Los Santos, who has guided the Eagles for 14 years, resigned Wednesday.

De los Santos, a science teacher at Estancia, said in a resignation letter to Principal Kirk Bauermeister that she wants to spend more time with her family.

“I had the privilege of coaching an amazing group of student athletes throughout the years and always had the support of highly involved and yet respectful parents,” de los Santos wrote. “I have experienced numerous league championships, entry into the CIF playoffs for the past 13 years, and had the immense pleasure of watching a few athletes go on to play college tennis. Although I will greatly miss the joy that coaching has brought me and the relationships formed with my players, I need to focus my time and energy on my family.

“I somehow managed to continue coaching through two pregnancies, two infants and two toddlers, all while teaching a full schedule of AP and honors Biology classes. However, my children Shane and Ella are now starting school and activities of their own, and I need to devote more time to them. My children are my number one priority and my only reason for stepping down as head coach.”

De los Santos also guided the Eagles boys’ tennis team for many years. This year’s Estancia girls finished third in the Orange Coast League, qualifying for the wild-card round of the CIF Southern Section Division 2 playoffs.

De los Santos said in her resignation later that she would like to continue supporting the tennis program and is open to possibly being an assistant coach.

“My hope is that the administration and athletic directors will work to ensure the continued success of the program by hiring a qualified and dedicated coach,” she wrote.

— Matt Szabo