Sharks Weekly: HPU Women’s Tennis Builds on Strong First Year Under Chelsea Patton

Hawai‘i Pacific University women’s tennis enters a new season looking to build on a strong first year under head coach Chelsea Patton, with team chemistry and steady improvement at the center of the program’s approach.

Patton joined Sharks Weekly alongside Rosa Viller Moeller and Kaia Sperry to reflect on last season, the culture developing within the program and what the Sharks hope to carry forward.

Patton’s first season as head coach included 16 wins, an NCAA postseason appearance and PacWest Coach of the Year honors. But she said much of the success came from allowing the team to develop naturally rather than rushing toward an end goal. 

“We had a great senior leadership,” Patton said. “I think we built upon each win very steadily.”

That gradual growth helped a group that Patton said did not immediately mesh become increasingly connected as the season progressed. Rather than forcing chemistry, the Sharks continued to build it day by day and win by win.

That process remains important entering Patton’s second season.

This year, she has encouraged the players to take an active role in defining the team’s identity. During a team meeting, the Sharks established four pillars — kindness, support, hard work and togetherness — along with a goal of becoming “1% better every day.”

For Viller Moeller, the team element of college tennis has been one of the biggest adjustments.

The Copenhagen, Denmark native grew up in a tennis family and came to HPU without ever having visited Hawai‘i. While tennis had traditionally been an individual sport for her, she quickly found that the college game places a much greater emphasis on competing as part of a group.

Sperry’s background is similarly rooted in family.

The Lehi, Utah native grew up around the sport with a father, uncle, siblings and cousins who all played tennis. She was also part of a state championship team at Skyridge, an experience she remembers most for the shared accomplishment with her teammates.

Both players also pointed to Patton’s enthusiasm and genuine investment in the program as a major part of the team environment.

Viller Moeller described her as passionate and someone who makes the hard work enjoyable, while Sperry said Patton’s positivity and care for her players help define the program.

As HPU moves forward, Patton’s focus remains bigger than individual results. She wants tennis to help develop confident leaders on and off the court while giving the players ownership in what the program becomes.

After a successful first season, the next step for the Sharks is simple: continue growing together, one percent at a time.

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