By DONNA SWANSON
MVHS Head Tennis Coach
On Thursday, October 17, Moapa Valley High School reached a milestone in the sport of tennis. For the first time a boys doubles team reached the quarter finals.
This may not be such an exciting event in Las Vegas, but in Moapa Valley, where we don’t have feeder programs that enable us to teach the sport to younger players; it’s an honor we have never experienced. So this achievement is definitely newsworthy.
However, as proud as we are, another story in the community of high school tennis came to our attention, and I would like to share.
As my boys competed for a title, and moved further along the bracket, they went head-to-head with a certain doubles team from Cheyenne High School. First glance showed a team competitive to ours, a little lower in seed, but displaying the stamina and skills to make us work for a victory. After all, they had already played another Moapa Valley doubles team and won, so they seemed to be a force to reckon with.
As the games rolled together, it appeared that one of the doubles players from Cheyenne was uncharacteristically bold when he executed a successful hit. He would grunt and yell in triumph, so there was no question when he had scored. In the quiet world of tennis, this can create some controversy with other players.
Soon Moapa found themselves behind on the scoreboard. This was not something that Koby Frei and Ethan Seely had often experienced, as their record stood nearly flawless with only one loss during the season.
We watched with anticipation as the other team pounded some balls and drew up some points, all with what seemed to be agitated excitement. Though our boys played well, maybe not their best, they fought back valiantly.
As a coach, the thrill of seeing your players excel is of the utmost satisfaction, and thus seeing them defeated wears a bit on your soul. As I watched closely to strategize for an egregious comeback, it was brought to my attention that the Cheyenne player, who seemed earlier to be a bit brazen, was not at all brazen or cocky. Rather he had Autistic Spectrum Disorder. With our focus then on Nick and how well he had mastered the game with a disability, we sat astonished at the caliber of tennis we were watching.
After speaking with Nick and Cory’s coach, Justin Burnham, we learned that Cory had played previously and had excelled on a top seeded doubles team. Though this was Nick’s first season, he had taken lessons to learn and progress in the sport of tennis.
Cory is an exceptional player, but more than that, he was a partner. He talked Nick through each play and encouraged him with every shot. He talked his anger away and shared in celebration of his triumphs.
This is not a trait that is too commonly shown among boys of high school age, especially when competition and titles are at stake. But on this day, during this season, a crowd sat urging on their team, but also witnessing a companionship and friendship that is one to be recognized.
The story ends somewhat sad for Moapa, as Cheyenne’s doubles team of Nick Higa and Cory Harris defeated our number one seed to advance to the finals. But what we witnessed was far more rewarding than a victory on the court. It was a comradery; a story of two true athletes who have gone above the realm of high school athletics and achieved more than any title can bring.
To Cory Harris and Nick Higa of Cheyenne High School, we honor your partnership and are grateful to have witnessed not only excellence in a sport, but excellent human beings.
