Pint-sized Mojave girls doubles team sets big goals

No one will ever confuse Mojave senior tennis players Kristen Bachman and Nicole Santiwan with 6-foot-2-inch WTA Tour star Maria Sharapova.

Bachman stands 5-3 and Santiwan 5-2, but the Rattlers doubles team is proving a lack of height does not necessarily mean a lack of talent.

They finished with a 24-3 record last year and — even though Bachman played the entire regional tournament with the stomach flu — became Mojave’s first top eight-ranked doubles team in history.

“Her [Bachman’s] sickness was devastating; it was so upsetting,” Santiwan said. “Plus, it was a cold, windy day, and we had never played in the cold. So we didn’t play well.”

This year, despite playing for a Rattlers squad that has lost by an average of 12 points per match, the power duo boasts a 17-4 record and has high hopes of bringing home the school’s first major tennis accolade.

“We want to win regionals and show that Mojave can get a banner for tennis,” Bachman said. “Every other sport has a banner, and we want one, too. I want a banner to represent Mojave’s little sports.”

Guiding the tennis program into uncharted territory also motivates both girls in their individual matches.

Bachman tried soccer, track, softball and swimming in high school but has stuck with tennis as her preferred sport. Santiwan also competed in soccer, basketball, softball, swimming and track before focusing on partnering with Bachman in doubles play.

“Mojave isn’t known for being very good at most sports,” Santiwan said. “So when we can beat these schools (in tennis) and say, 'you just got beat by Mojave,’ it’s a great feeling.”

Mojave coach James Devine has seen Bachman and Santiwan’s hard work and dedication first-hand, and he thinks they have what it takes to win next week’s regionals.

“I’ve seen them practicing against a concrete wall to eventually work to become Mojave’s first ranked doubles team,” Devine said.

“This year, if they don’t draw the No. 1 or No. 2 seed, I feel they can stand a good chance of taking regionals. And if they were 6 inches taller, they could even be nationally ranked. They put speed on the ball, they are agile, and they have absolutely no fear.”

The girls have risen to their current standing despite not picking up a tennis racket until seventh grade.

“During my freshman year, I tried to play tennis and volleyball,” Bachman said. “But after I convinced Nicole to join tennis, we found we had a knack for it.”

Bachman and Santiwan were unanimously named co-captains by their teammates this season, and they have lived up to the role.

“When it comes to being a team player, few people were willing to step up more than [Kristen] and Nicole,” Devine said. “Everyone looks towards Kristen when they are warming up or beginning their drill work. She’s also the ultimate cheerleader for the team; she’ll support the people who have good games and bad.

“Nicole is a fighter; she’s an absolute workhorse, never wanting to quit. Even when she is hurt or sore, she’s dedicated. She doesn’t have 'give up’ in her.”