A team made of a majority of first and second year tennis players, most without professional training and most without any outside experience of tennis has made it to states. Against all the odds, the boys varsity tennis team defeated two undefeated teams while possessing a 4-9 regular season record. And now, the team is headed into the first round of the state championship.

Sophomore Gabe Eshleman is a first year tennis player and has played third seed doubles with his partner, senior Michael Sy.

“I definitely didn’t have a high level of confidence that we’d make it this far. [In the regular season] we were 4-9 and we were losing close matches that it seemed we should have won. We proved ourselves wrong,” Eshleman said.

Even as early as the first round of regionals, Eshleman had doubt that the team could progress.

“The first match we had in regionals was against a team that was 15-0. They hadn’t lost yet and two or three of their players were undefeated throughout the season. We were intimidated but we went in played a great match and got the victory,” Eshleman said.

The team won 5-3 against Halifax High School, an undefeated team during the regular season. After scoring an unlikely victory in the first round, an even more challenging opponent faced the team in the bracket.

“Our second match was the same scenario. The team we were playing was undefeated throughout the regular season. It was a Northern Virginia team and they’re rich up there so we were nervous. We played out of our minds and managed to get another victory,” Eshleman said.

The team beat Brooke Point High School 5-3 which automatically nominated them to states. Eshleman will be playing third seed doubles.

“We were never doubles partners until regionals and it just worked out really well. We were beating teams that we definitely thought we couldn’t beat. We played off each others strengths and it was a good combo,” Eshleman said.

Gabe identifies his strengths at the net with volleys and overheads. Michaels strengths are in the back court with groundstrokes.

The team is now faced with playing Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, one of the best public schools in the nation. Thomas Jefferson has beat teams that beat Harrisonburg 9-0. The likelihood of smalltown Harrisonburg beating one of the best teams in the state is low.

“Coming into this game, we aren’t expecting a whole lot. It’s one of the best public schools in the nation. We’re going to try our hardest but it’s unlikely we’re going to win. That being said, why go into it with a bad attitude won’t help anyone,” Eshleman said.

No matter what the result of the match, Eshleman is grateful for what the season has brought to him.

“Making it this far has definitely brought our team closer together. We were close during the regular season but having three hour bus rides twice a week has really brought us a lot closer,” Eshleman said. “It gave me the opportunity to meet some really cool people I wouldn’t have met otherwise.”