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(ALEX HAVARDANKSY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Chris Reyes throws a ball up in the air for a serve attempt during one of his matches. Reyes was named an academic all-district player for the boys tennis team. -
(ALEX HAVARDANKSY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Jordan Miranda steps up on the court to swing at a ball during one of the Steers matches. Miranda was named one of four academic all-district players for Graham this fall tennis season. -
(ALEX HAVARDANKSY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Keigan Garland prepares to return a ball in one of the Steers tennis matches this season. Garland was named a second team all-district line four player after the fall tennis season ended. -
(ALEX HAVARDANKSY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Jade Dospapas was named both a first team all-district line one nomination as well as an academic all-district player for Graham. -
ALEX HAVARDANKSY | THE GRAHAM LEADER Stacey Gonzalez runs up to prepare for a swing in one of the Lady Blues matches during fall tennis season. Gonzalez finished the season as an academic all-district player for the Lady Blues.
While the world of sports moves at a fast pace in the Graham community, it’s still important to acknowledge the hard work of athletes whose seasons have officially come to an end. One of those seasons was fall league play for Graham tennis.
The team’s fall season came to an end earlier in October in the district round of the playoffs. After much roster turnover from the previous seasons, it was an all around successful year for the team as they made the community proud.
“I think the tennis team met all expectations this year,” head coach Matt Birdwell said. “Out of the gate we were very strong and competed very well. We had a little lull against very tough opponents at the midseason mark. At the end of the season we rebounded and won our last two matches to reach the playoffs.”
Shortly after the team’s season ended, their hard work was rewarded with district honors. In total, the team had one first team and second team all-district player as well as four academic all-district candidates.
At the top with a first team all-district line one nomination was senior Jade Dospapas. According to the Graham High School Tennis Facebook page, Dospapas and Olivia Buckley have been playing the sport since seventh grade and the community will fondly remember their success.
Right behind Dospapas was second team all-district line four nomination Keigan Garland. Garland consistently put up solid numbers in the middle of the boys lineup all season to help them advance to the playoffs.
Lastly were the academic all-district nominations which belonged to Dospapas, Stacey Gonzalez, Jordan Miranda and Chris Reyes.
“The future of the team is great,” Birdwell said. “Everyone will be back in the spring for individual season, which starts in late January. The fall season next year we will return with the entire boys team and most of the girls team. We will lose some of our top girls but we have some talented junior varsity and junior high players that are ready to take those spots.”
