When Joe Cascione approached Los Angeles Mission College with a proposal to start a women’s tennis team, his background as a longtime baseball coach raised eyebrows. With 27 years of coaching baseball but no formal experience in tennis, Cascione acknowledged that the idea seemed unconventional. “I don’t have any background in tennis, but I think I can surround myself with people who know the technical side of the sport,” he said. Despite initial skepticism from college administrators, who favored launching a women’s soccer program due to regional demographics, Cascione persisted with a list of prospective players.
Four years later, Cascione’s gamble produced a historic breakthrough. In April, Mission College’s women’s tennis team, the Eagles, won the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) state team championship, marking the community college’s first-ever state title. The team finished the season undefeated with a 25-0 record. Their victory was notable given the program’s modest resources; Mission College lacks on-campus tennis courts and regularly rents local park facilities for practice and home matches.
The championship was secured in a tense final against Sierra College, a Northern California powerhouse and the tournament’s top seed. After the Eagles dominated the doubles matches, Sierra College rallied in singles to take a 4-3 lead. Mission’s Genesis Nochez tied the score, setting up a decisive match between Josilyn Rivera of Mission College and Autumn Holmes from Sierra. Rivera overcame a first-set loss to win the second set decisively and then clinched the championship in a tiebreak without conceding a point.
In addition to the team title, doubles partners Jaelyn Rivera and Priscilla Grinner secured the state doubles championship. Grinner, a two-time CIF champion from Granada Hills, described the win as a meaningful tribute to her community, while Jaelyn, Josilyn’s older sister, emphasized the significance of bringing the title to their local area. Key contributors also included Amy Nghiem and América Fragoso, both from Granada Hills, who helped solidify the team’s competitive edge.
Cascione, who stepped down as head baseball coach in 2019 after nearly two decades, found renewed passion in tennis during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite challenges in recruiting—particularly competing against colleges with established tennis programs and facilities—he leveraged his candid leadership style to build trust and motivate players. “I kept telling them, ‘You’re going to work hard, and you’re going to have a coach who’s going to push you to your limits and who’s going to be there for you every time we’re on the court,’” he said.
The coaching staff, including assistant coach Yulia Zhytelna, a former Cal State Northridge player, has played a crucial role in fostering a close-knit team environment. Zhytelna highlighted the players’ determination, especially among freshmen, and the importance of enjoying the game amid competitive pressures. Cascione emphasized that cultivating a culture of belief and resilience was essential, particularly since many players face personal and economic challenges outside of tennis.
Mission College’s women’s tennis team recently inspired the creation of a men’s program, following the same community-based approach. The college is also underway with facility upgrades, including new soccer and softball fields, with tennis courts planned for a later phase of construction. Cascione sees sustained success hinging on maintaining a positive, team-oriented culture passed down as players cycle through the program.
“Our players learn that being a great person, a great sister, a great daughter contributes to being a great tennis player and a great team,” Cascione said. For him, the program’s rise from a tentative new initiative to state champions exemplifies the power of belief and persistence in overcoming obstacles. “Here, we dream big. Sometimes we fall short, but we’re always going to give it our all.”