By Cyndi Goodrich
Moapa Valley Progress
The Moapa Valley High School Tennis Courts were dedicated to former player Jace Davis in a ceremony held Monday, September 20 at 6:00 p.m. Davis, who was a 2007 MVHS Graduate, died on January 29 this year from an accidental natural gas asphyxiation while serving a LDS mission in Romania. Davis was the son of Larry and Donna Davis of Logandale.
At the ceremony, Davis’ tennis coach Travis Griffiths gave a brief tennis history and background of Jace’s accomplishments. Griffiths shared how Jace had played hard but also knew when to get serious. His senior year he went undefeated playing doubles with a score of 27-0. He and his partner Travis Rust were also successful singles players but chose to play together to benefit the team. Griffiths said that Jace made it about the team. He and Travis would split up to give younger team members a better chance to win. A pro circuit player once called them “scrappers”.
“Jace was a master at the lob,” told Griffiths. “He turned it into an offensive weapon. The ball always hit 10 to 12 inches from the back of the line. It became a valuable tool and frustrated other opponents.”
A ribbon cutting was then performed by Larry Davis to reveal the memorial plaque that reads “Jace Davis Memorial Tennis Courts”.
Rust and Jace’s younger brother, Taylor Davis, then played a dedicatory induction on the tennis courts trying out the popular lob while the crowd watched in silence.
A crowd of nearly 300 people came to be a part of the dedication.
The evening ended with MVHS principal Grant Hanevold closing the ceremony. Light refreshments were then served.
This dedication was put into motion by the Girls’ Tennis Coach, Donna Swanson. With a special thanks to the Davis family, MVHS Administration, MVHS staff and students, Chandler Whipple, Construction Tech Class, JV Football Players, NHS Volunteers, MVHS Tennis Team, Overton Volunteer Fire Dept. Station 74.
