CCS vs. Geneva: It’s a friendly match for tennis rivals
The Cornerstone High School Varsity Tennis Team has competed against the Geneva High School Varsity Tennis Team three times this fall, and instead of a rivalry growing amongst the players, they have formed friendships.
When both teams heard that they were going to play against each other for the third time this season, neither team felt any resentment as one would if you heard you were playing the same team for the third time. Naturally, you would want to beat the team you have been playing over and over again and get it over with. Well, not for Geneva and Cornerstone.
“Like we're friends, but like we also are their rivals,” said Cornerstone Varsity player Diego Gaona. “We're just friends because we see them so much.”
Geneva players feel the same camaraderie. “It's been fun, like getting to see y'all and like getting to know y'all even better,” said Geneva Varsity player Walker West.
Both Gaona and West have played against each other multiple times this season in both singles and doubles, with both beating one another multiple times. But, instead of resentment toward one another to see who can beat the other, a friendship has grown amongst them. Both players look forward to playing one another and have recalled joking with each other during intense matches.
“I get to joke with Diego a lot,” said West. “I say “nice shot” every time he messes up. Like we just get to make jokes with each other.”
Cornerstone Varsity player Emma Morrey described both teams' dynamic with one another as “one big family who all get along.” Despite friendships growing amongst the players, both teams are really competitive.
“It’s really back and forth,” said Geneva Varsity player Madison DeLaune. “Because sometimes y’all will win for like a year, and we won’t win against y’all, and sometimes well win against y’all.”
Both teams take their rivalry seriously but, at the same time, always look forward to playing against each other. Geneva and Cornerstone have played each other so much throughout the years that DeLaune recalls playing Cornerstone players since middle school. She described the competition as “getting harder each year.”
Despite the competition, both Cornerstone and Geneva players love to compete against each other and are so grateful for the friendships that have grown out of their rivalry.
Photos courtesy Jennifer Reichle
About the Contributor
Aranza Carbonell, Staff Writer
Aranza Carbonell is a junior at CCS who enjoys reading, writing and hanging out with her family. She is on the Cornerstone tennis team and has been playing for almost 10 years. She wants to study both Business and Communications in college and hopes to do everything for the Glory of God.
