Royals JV Tennis
A Whole New Program
Hanna Langley '25
Executive Podcast Coordinator
Louisville just got a new addition to their athletics department this year. The junior varsity tennis team was added by Coach Dina McBride after a year of contemplation. Meet the coaches who make it possible:
Coach Dina decided to start coaching at Louisville last year in Chloe Mcbride ’24,her daughter’s senior year. She has revitalized the tennis program in so many different ways, honing skills and motivating the team like never before.
She has been playing since she was 12 years old, and eventually was ranked #6 nationally during her late teen years. Mcbride played on the pro circuit for a few years during her late twenties, “receiving world rankings in both singles and doubles”.
She started coaching during college when she went to University of San Diego, she received a scholarship and played on their Division 1 team as the #1 singles by “competing in the NCAA championships” with them as well.
Despite being significant for her,“ the most memorable moments… have been winning national championships with my three children,” said Coach Dina Mcbride.
Her impressive coaching career started at “Calabasas Tennis and Swim Club, where I started in 1996 to 2003.”
She continued coaching with her husband Desi Mcbride at his tennis management company, “Topseed [that] opened The Paseo Club in Valencia, where I worked for 16 years. The last 5 years, I've been coaching at The Malibu Racquet Club,” said Coach Dina.
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Coach Dina had wanted to make a JV team happen at Louisville and said since it is her second season, “This is truly the first year I’ve been able to implement a JV team.”
Since the JV team started practicing with Coach Dina, she has noticed immense progress, “I’m thrilled that it’s finally happening, and I see how it's helping already with confidence among the players,” commented Mcbride.
When asked about why the JV team is so important Mcbride said “Having a JV team is crucial to the success of our program. Without a JV team, we cannot fully develop our players to their highest potential. Establishing a JV team enhances the depth of our program, which ultimately translates into more victories.”
Coach Mcbride also talked about how there were some issues with practice schedules, finding a coach for the JV team and finding matches with other schools’ JV teams. But thankfully “the JV Coach and practice times have been successfully addressed, but still working on more matches for the JV team.”
She expressed her excitement for JV and “seeing them embrace tennis as a lifelong sport. They will acquire the skills necessary to compete throughout their lives, and it is thrilling to know that more players will have the opportunity to enjoy this great game.”
Mcbride’s love of the game and coaching is truly transformational. She brings a fighting spirit to the team as well as support for every level of player. Mcbride is also a proud mother of Parker Mcbride, he is her oldest son and the current Junior Varsity coach.
Coach Parker says he has been playing, “As early as I could hold a racket”, which is unsurprising since both his parents are tennis coaches.He played tennis at California Lutheran University and started his coaching career during high school, helping his parents with their summer camp. Coach Parker said that he is excited to see “the girls get better and hopefully get them to love the game.”
He commented on what JV brings to the tennis program, saying that “the team is a family, adding in more members allows for more depth and diversity.”
Both Mcbride’s have leveled up the Louisville tennis program with a shared motivation. Coach Parker’s fun attitude helps to develop newer players and Coach Dina’s high energy gives the whole team a fresh outlook on the game. Their passion is as contagious as their positive attitude, they push their players to become better every practice. JV is a way to improve the team as a whole, and brings the Louisville tennis program to new heights.