Two teams attempt to impose their will on each other, volleying a neon ball back and forth. Both sides vy for the match point to win the set. The player clad in Jesuit apparel eventually wins out.
This theme of dominance has been a staple of the fall portion of the Jesuit Tennis team’s 2016-2017 season. With an impressive 8-1 start after finishing first and second place in the Keller Invitational and Coppell Valentine Invitational respectively, the Rangers have taken the Texas tennis world by storm.
The only loss this season came at the hands of the #1 state ranked Highland Park Scots, early favorites to win state. According to head coach Paul McDaniel, a major key to their success this season is the depth of their roster, with the “younger guys…getting some valuable playing time” that helps them gain experience for the future.
After falling to the Scots, the Rangers picked up right where they left off and closed out the fall season with a 13-0 shutout victory over the Berkner Rams, with freshmen Reid Staples and Diego Trejo staying unbeaten throughout the year in their doubles matchups and sophomore Kota Ueshima also adding a win to the Rangers tally.
The Rangers closed out their fall campaign by leaving it all on the court en route to decimating John Paull ll 19-1. Assistant Coach Anthony Civello revealed how great these matches were for the younger guys on team because “for the less experienced players…it was a great confidence booster” as the fall season comes to a close.
Kota Ueshima is a prime example of the depth and winning nature of the team, closing out the fall with 6-2 and 6-1 wins, with only a single loss this season suffered at the hands of Scots. Jesuit will hope to transfer the success they had this fall to the spring season where it hopes to win their fourth district title in the last five years.
