AJ Jackson

The annual Faculty/Varsity Mixed Doubles Tournament will be held Thursday, May 2 at 5 p.m. at the Harmon campus.

The annual Faculty/Varsity Mixed Doubles Tournament will be held Thursday, May 2 at 5 p.m. at the Harmon campus. Sixteen pairs of student-faculty pairs will compete in a bracket tournament to become the champions.

“I think it’s fun to play with the teachers,” varsity tennis player Sophia Win said. “Some of them don’t know how to play, so it’s really funny to see. But some of them are actually really good, and it’s fun to see that.”

This event is always held at the Harmon campus toward the end of the school year. Some teachers play every year, while others are invited to play by varsity players or by signing up with the information sent out by varsity tennis head coach Deana Johnson.

“It is always great watching the energetic interaction between staff and our tennis players,” Johnson said. “It is always a good time.” 

Faculty members, like the Chief of High Schools Andy Plunkett, will be paired up with a member of the varsity tennis team and play through a one-set, mixed doubles tournament. The winning pair will receive a trophy prize and bragging rights. 

“Coach Deana Johnson has created a family atmosphere in the tennis program which brings faculty members together each year in a friendly way,” Plunkett said. “The students are always patient and kind while encouraging a healthy rivalry between the staff members. It is one of my favorite events every year.”

Students and faculty will end the match with a friendly award ceremony for the winners and a small dinner. Students are invited to watch the event, no ticket needed. 

“I love that this is a way to connect students and teachers,” Win said. “It’s not just teachers doing only curricular activities in school; they’re able to see sports and activities like this outside of school. So, this gives them a way to experience a different sport and see how we do things.”