Rising star: Senior among VOL’s best despite just three years of experience

Manteca High School junior Michael Osanna finished third at the Valley Oak League Singles Tournament, earning an all-league selection and berth in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III tournament. (Photo courtesy of Wayne Thallander)

By ROCCO RATTARO 
The Tower 

When Michael Osanna steps onto the tennis court, he is a rising star. 

The athletic senior is coming off his third year of tennis. He is one of the best players on the Manteca High boys’ team, and his recipe for success is simple: one part grit and one part determination.

Here’s the scary part: Osanna is still getting better. 

Now in his senior year, Osanna will attempt to climb to new levels. Ever since Osanna started playing as a freshman, he has been playing at a high level, culminating with a third-place finish at the Valley Oak League Championships last spring.  

His talent is undeniable.  

His competitiveness is off the charts.  

And his skills have not gone unnoticed.  

Manteca High tennis coach MaryAnn Tolbert recognizes his strong backhand and booming strokes. She has also seen his potential. 

“Michael is very driven and very competitive, so he pushes himself,” Tolbert said. “He continues to correct mistakes, get better, and I think he has a lot of potential.” 

The Tower sat down with Osanna to discuss the past, present, and future of his tennis career. 

THE TOWER: When did you start playing tennis? 

MICHAEL OSANNA: I started playing tennis after 8th grade and during my freshman year. I just decided to pick up a racket. It was during quarantine, so I was bored. That’s when I fell in love with the game of tennis. 

TT: Why do you play tennis over other sports? 

MO: I play tennis over other sports because I feel like it is on you. You’re the main guy. You’re not on a team, so you must focus on yourself. It’s also a mind game. It helps your mental game. 

TT: What is your biggest accomplishment in tennis? 

MO: My biggest accomplishment is probably getting third in VOLs, the tournament. It was an honor to get that because not everyone gets that.  

TT: Do you idolize any professional tennis players? 

MO: Probably Carlos Alcaraz. He’s second in the world right now. Probably first after the tournaments coming up. I also like Ben Shelton. His serve is pretty good.  

TT: What are your goals for tennis this year and how do you plan to achieve them? 

MO: As a team, to go to (Sac-Joaquin Sections) for my last year. If that can’t happen, I want to make it to sections individually with my teammate Yok Chai. Hopefully that happens.  

TT: Do you plan to play tennis after high school? 

MO: Honestly, I don’t know. I need to start looking at scholarship offers for (Division II and III schools). D-I might be too late. But I would love to play tennis after high school.