Some teams are more than a team. They’re a family, united by heart, resilience, and an unbreakable fighting spirit. Reagan proved that once again as they faced Westlake High School from Austin in a battle that tested not only their tennis skills, but their determination, endurance, and love for one another.
Doubles set the tone, with Reagan taking a 5–2 lead. The boys delivered some beautiful tennis, with several matches pushed to tiebreakers. On the girls’ side, Line 3 secured an impressive straight-set win, while Lines 1 and 2 fought hard against tough competition. Our mixed doubles team also brought home a win!
Boys doubles:
1- Pablo Alvares & Nathan Washington. 2- Ryan Totorica and Finn Thanairongroj 3- David Lopz and Andres Taylor.
Girls doubles:
1- Estefania Scanlon & Dhanvi Vagal. 2- Hallie Croft and Naya Chreitah. 3- Dana Lee and Heidi Scanlon.
Mixed Doubles: Iris Wang and Jerry He.
After just 15 minutes of rest, the players returned to the courts for singles under the blazing sun and brutal humidity. The heat brought exhaustion and muscle cramps, but our Rattlers refused to back down.
Pablo Alvarez led the way with an impressive 6–2, 6–4 victory. Nathan Washington fought through exhaustion to win a thrilling super tiebreaker before muscle cramps forced him to the ground. Watching his teammates and family rush to celebrate, lift him up, and help him was a reminder of what makes this team so special.
Ryan Totorica claimed a hard-fought super tiebreaker victory, while Finn Thanairongroj battled fiercely in a match that narrowly slipped away. On the girls’ side, Iris Wang delivered an outstanding performance, fighting through a super tiebreaker to secure another crucial win. Every player gave everything they had, including Dhanvi Vagal, Naya Chreitah, Hallie Croft, and Heidi Wilkinson, who faced incredibly tough opponents.
The score was 9–7. Three courts remained. One more win was all we needed.
Jerry He, David López, and Camila Torres were still fighting as the exhaustion mounted. The sidelines came alive with cheers, Gatorade, ice packs, and pickle juice as teammates, parents, and supporters did everything they could to keep our players going. The love, unity, and belief in one another were truly unforgettable.
And then, Camila Torres did it! She fought through the pressure, stayed focused, and secured the tenth win, sealing Reagan’s incredible 10–7 victory over Westlake! What a moment. What a team!
We are beyond proud of these Rattlers and grateful to everyone who stood behind them, including Dr. R, our principal, the NEISD athletic director Mr. Jay Govan, Blossom Tennis directors Patrick and Arnaud, and all the parents, grandparents, and siblings who showed up to cheer them on. A special thank-you to Coach Canales and Coach Griffin for their continued dedication and support.
Next stop: Regionals!
📍 Northside Tennis Center
📅 Thursday, October 15
🕙 10:00 AM
🆚 Laredo United High School
Congratulations, Rattlers! Your heart, grit, and unity make us proud every single day. The fight continues, and we’ll be right there cheering you on!
Way to go, Rattlers! Strike ’em!
Written by Danah Chreitah
