VVHS Tennis Teams Prepare To Compete

By LOU MARTIN

The Progress

The Virgin Valley High School Tennis team is gearing up for a full season. The courts were bustling with activity last week as practices began.

Often considered a minor sport in the high school lineup, tennis has a broad international appeal outside of secondary school settings. Young boys and girls work hard in club leagues and other competitive venues to strive to become the Serena Willimans, Rafael Nadal or Lionel Messi of the future.

The team turnout was not huge to the practices last week. VVHS tennis coach Gavin Coburn greeted 7 girls and 13 boys last week who will make up the Bulldog squad. Coburn said that this will be a good starting point.

“I’m hoping for a few additional players in the coming week as kids get settled at school,” said Coburn.
Coburn looks forward to growing the program and he has high hopes for building skills in his players this season.

“We have a young team,” he said. “But we do have some experience coming off the shortened pandemic season last year.”

The Dawgs went 0-4 last year in an abbreviated season that pitted them against teams like Pahrump Valley, Moapa Valle and Faith Lutheran.

Even so, the Bulldog players gained valuable experience during the short season.
Coburn said that he will be counting on senior Alex Hendrick and junior Braden Harris to lead the boys team this year.

Senior Willa St. Germaine and junior Emma Connelly will be vying with the youngsters for top seeding in upcoming matches.

The VVHS team will open the season next week on Aug. 24, travelling to Boulder City for the first match of the season.

The first home match for the tennis team will be against Pahrump Valley High School on August 27.
Through the season, the Bulldogs will host Canyon Springs (Sept. 9), Cheyenne (Sept 10), Western (Sept. 20 and Adelson (Sept. 30).

The big rivalry match against Moapa Valley will be played at MVHS on Sept. 27.
Coburn said that the team will be practicing hard daily on the hill as the players compete for seeding for the upcoming games.

Boys/Girls Tennis 2021 Season Schedule

Aug 24 3:30 PM Boulder City
Aug 27 3:30 PM Pahrump
Sep 01 3:30 PM Sunrise Mountain
Sep 03 3:30 PM Canyon Springs
Sep 10 3:30 PM Cheyenne
Sep 20 3:30 PM Western
Sep 23 3:30 PM The Meadows
Sep 27 3:30 PM Moapa Valley
Sep 30 3:30 PM Adelson
Oct 05 3:30 PM Mojave
Oct 28-30 State Championship South

Home games in bold
Schedule subject to change without notice