The squeak of tennis shoes against the court and the pop of tennis balls echoed through the tournament as students and teachers prepared for matches. What could have been just another school event quickly turned into something more, a mix of competition, nerves, and unexpected partnerships that brought people together outside the classroom.
For more than 30 years, the school’s annual mixed doubles tennis tournament has created an opportunity for students and faculty members to compete side by side. Tennis coach Matt Kostoff said the tradition was already established when he first arrived on campus decades ago.
“It was something that the coach did here when I came, and I just kept it going,” Kostoff said. “We’ve been doing it now for over 30 years.”
The tournament pairs male students with female faculty members and female students with male faculty members, creating mixed doubles teams that combine experience, personality, and school spirit.
“The teachers here seem to enjoy it,” Kostoff said. “We give out trophies and everything, so we just kept it going.”
This year, 13 teams signed up to compete, a number Kostoff said is typical for the event.
“We try to get 16,” Kostoff said. “That makes it a full draw, but 13 teams is still a good number.”
While the tournament includes trophies and competition, Kostoff emphasized that the focus has always been fun rather than fundraising.
“It’s really just for fun,” Kostoff said. “Just come out there and have some fun at the end of the year and play for some trophies.”
Part of the tournament’s charm comes from the humor surrounding it. Kostoff joked that the event was sponsored by “Gatorade, Icy Hot, and Preparation H,” which especially entertained the veteran teachers participating.
“The older teachers especially get a kick out of that,” Kostoff said.
Among the competitors was junior Marshall Hammond, who has played tennis since his freshman year. Although Hammond has been on varsity before, this was his first time competing in the mixed doubles tournament.
“I was a little nervous,” Hammond said. “But as long as you get the ball in, then we’ll win.”
Hammond partnered with Beverly Wilhelm and believed their biggest challenge would come from several strong teams in the bracket.
“There’s a lot of good teams here,” Hammond said. “We just gotta get past them.”
Hammond said tennis became the right fit for him after other sports did not work out.
“I really wanted to play football, but I was too small for that,” Hammond said. “Tennis was just a sport I could find, I guess.”
Spanish teacher Alexander Castro entered the tournament with plenty of confidence despite admitting it had been years since he last played.
“We’re gonna be the best,” Castro said. “We’re gonna win.”
For Castro, the event represented more than competition.
“The teachers need to do something different outside the classroom,” Castro said. “You get to know the classmates better.”
Nearby, spectators and family members gathered around the courts to cheer on competitors. Christopher Saray attended to support his uncle and confidently predicted a strong performance.
“He’s gonna do good,” Saray said.
Another team featured sophomore Andrew Waterman and special education teacher Michelle Yu, who both described the tournament as a tradition that encourages relationships between students and teachers.
“We started a little teacher club,” Yu said. “Then we would enter the competition and get paired up with students, because it’s fun.”
Waterman, who has played competitively for about four years, shared that confidence.
“We’re gonna dominate,” Waterman said.
Kostoff said the event continues to succeed because it allows everyone, experienced athletes, teachers, and beginners alike, to relax and enjoy themselves together.
“Everybody has a good time,” Kostoff said. “It’s fun to watch.”
Whether players stepped onto the court with years of tennis experience or had not touched a racket in decades, the tournament created more than just winners and losers. For one afternoon, the courts became a place where students and teachers could laugh, compete, and connect outside the classroom.
Main Draw (winner’s division) Mr. Shaw & Caidyn Gonzales, Coach Kostoff & Marie Martin, Mr. Simpson & Emma Davis, Mrs. Payne & Josh Mann
Consolation Side of Draw (means they lost the first match but won their second) Mr. Mancuso & Lasya Divi, Mrs. Germany & Logan Strickland, Ms. Allen & Anshul Aennam.
