Join the Bulldog Tradition

How To Sign Up

Step One

Fill out the “sign up” form above to sign up for the tennis team. This is an internal form that will introduce you to the coaching staff.

Step Two

Complete the NMAA Pre-Participation Evaluation Packet.

This packet includes a physical. Once you complete the physical, take the forms to AHS Trainer, Estevan Mares (505-843-6400, ex: 20331). He will give you a “receipt.” Bring this receipt to the first practice. You cannot begin practice without a physical.

Step Three

Sign up or update your DragonFly account. This is required, too. And be patient! This takes a while.

  • Here are instructions for new users.

  • Returning athletes will need to update their existing account information.

Step Four (for non-AHS students only)

If you are an 8th grader or non-AHS student who lives in the district, you must meet with the Athletic Director to verify your residency. Contact Chad Jones at chad.jones@aps.edu to complete your registration.

Meet Your Coaches

  • Mike Rocca

    Head Coach

    Mike is a lifelong tennis player with over 20 years of coaching experience in youth sports. He loves to fish (or, to be exact, stand by a river and untangle fishing line). In his spare time, he is a professor of political science at the University of New Mexico and director of the Master of Public Policy Program.

    505-803-4733
    michael.s.rocca@gmail.com

  • Erik Olson

    Assistant Coach

    Erik is a former D-1 collegiate athlete who is passionate about the tennis serve and mentoring student-athletes. When he isn’t dominating a doubles match, he can be found working as a Senior Vice President with CBRE New Mexico Multifamily Investment Properties.

  • Jon Roensch

    AHS Legend and Assistant Coach

    Jon served as head coach of the AHS Boys Tennis for ten years, until stepping down in 2024. In his final year, he was named 2024 Coach of the Year by the Northern New Mexico section of the USTA. He led the team to the 2024 state team finals, and guided three players to individual medals (1st, 3rd, and 4th).

    When he is not traveling the world, Jon is a mechanical engineer at the Veterans Administration.

 All About Bulldog Tennis

  • Practice takes place every day from 3:45 PM to 5:00 PM at the Tennis Club of Albuquerque (TCA). Please note that there will be no practices on match days. Being on time and ready to start at 3:45 is important so we can make the most of our practice time!

  • Practices will begin on February 10th at 3:45 PM at the Tennis Club of Albuquerque (TCA). Make sure to arrive on time, ready to hit the court and start the season strong!

  • Tennis is a no-cut team—everyone is welcome to join us! In return, we ask student-athletes to commit to attending practice every day. Our goal is to create a fun, team-oriented environment where players can develop their skills in sportsmanship, teamwork, discipline, and a genuine enjoyment of the game.

  • Be sure to bring tennis shoes with non-marking soles, comfortable athletic gear, and warm clothing for chilly evenings. Don’t forget water—it’s essential to stay hydrated during practice!

    Also, proper nutrition is key to performing your best. Make sure to eat a balanced meal or snack before practice, stay fueled with healthy snacks if needed, and eat a nutritious meal after practice to recover. Avoid sugary or heavy foods that might make you feel sluggish on the court.

  • No racket? Or need a new one? No problem! We have extra rackets available for players to borrow during practices and matches. Our goal is to make tennis accessible to everyone, so if you need equipment, just let us know, and we’ll make sure you’re ready to play.

  • Yes, attending practice is mandatory! Consistent participation is key to improving skills, building teamwork, and ensuring the team’s success. We understand that emergencies or unavoidable conflicts may arise, but we ask all players to prioritize practices and notify us in advance if they cannot attend. Being part of the team means committing to growing together every day.

  • If you need to miss a practice or match, please let us know at least two hours in advance. This is very important, as having an accurate count helps us plan practices effectively. If you frequently miss practices without notifying us, we will need to discuss the situation with you to ensure clear communication and commitment to the team.

  • We’d still love to have you at practice as much as possible to be part of the team and grow together. However, we understand the value of working with an outside coach or competing in tournaments, and we’re glad to see you dedicating time to improving your game. Just keep us informed so we can support your development both on and off the court.

  • No way! Joining our team is completely free. We’re committed to making tennis accessible to everyone, so there are no fees to participate. Just bring your enthusiasm and commitment to the court!

  • While we can’t guarantee that every player will participate in a varsity match, we are committed to providing a high-energy, academy-style practice environment. Our practices are designed to help all players develop their tennis skills, grow as athletes, and prepare for potential match opportunities.

  • This year, we will not have an official JV team due to staffing constraints. Additionally, JV tennis is not an NMAA sport but rather a USTA-run league. Our goal is to ensure that every player feels like a valued member of the same unified team. To provide competitive opportunities for non-varsity players, we will host intra-squad mini-tournaments and facilitate participation in USTA-sanctioned tournaments throughout the year.

  • We follow NMAA and APS rules regarding academic requirements to remain in good standing on the team. Success in the classroom is just as important as success on the court.

    Coach Mike, who is also a college professor, is here to support you however he can. If you’re struggling with academics or need help balancing school and sports, don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance or resources. We want all our student-athletes to thrive both academically and athletically!

  • Sportsmanship is absolutely critical. As members of the Bulldog tennis team, we are part of a proud tradition, and it’s our responsibility to uphold the highest standards of respect, integrity, and fair play—on and off the court.

    This means treating teammates, opponents, coaches, and officials with respect at all times, regardless of the outcome of a match. We expect all players to compete with honor, display humility in victory, and show grace in defeat. Let’s continue to make the Bulldog tennis legacy something to be proud of!

  • We use an app called Remind to keep everyone updated about team events, practices, matches, and important announcements. Make sure to download the app and join our team group to stay in the loop. We’ll share instructions for joining at the start of the season.

  • Absolutely! Parents and guardians play an important role in supporting our team. Here are a few ways to get involved:

    • Donate: Contributions help us provide the best experience for our players.

    • Snacks: Bring snacks or drinks for practices and matches to keep the team energized.

    • Carpools: Help organize or volunteer for carpools to ensure all players can get to practices and matches.

    • Cheer us on: Join us at matches and events to show your Bulldog pride!

Questions?

Let’s Go Dawgs!

Let’s run it back in 2025!