44 MAY 2026 By AJ Stone This year’s tennis teams wrapped up an exciting season marked by resilience, growth, and impressive victories. Whether a title defense was underway or a program was climbing the ranks, Arcadia, Brophy, Veritas, and Xavier each carved out a unique story on the court.  BOYS Boys’ tennis at Arcadia has had a very successful campaign by any metric. Coach James Vercellino spoke about the Titan’s biggest win of the season as a headlining moment. “Most memorable moment was going to Shadow Mountain and winning 5-4 against a ranked team, allowing our Titans to become ranked. If you could have seen the smiles and overall elation from the team, it was a vibe,” he said. “Coach V,” as the players call him, referred to the team as “dawgs.” The record at the end of the regular season was 10-3, with wins against Metro Tech, Coronado, Horizon High and Verrado. The final match against McClintock saw the Titans win 9-0, securing their run at State. “We have a never-give-up type of effort. In fact, we beat teams because we have the mentality of ‘One More Ball.’ That’s all it takes. Never give up, never chill, and keep fighting to the end,” Vercellino said. When met with adversity, the players and coaches recite a famous quote from philosopher Carl Jung: “I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.” They’re choosing to become champions, it would seem! GIRLS Coach Dean Lamppa was adamant that even though there were specific moments that stood out, the season has been very successful – with a 12-2 record as of press time – on and off the court. The team had consistent 9-0 scores against Buckeye Union, Central High, Coronado and Metro Tech, with other matches coming in just shy – aside from one anomaly against Notre Dame Prep. “What I will remember are the road matches. I really enjoy the time on the bus and having dinners with the team. It’s been great for everyone to spend more time together off the court and to get to know each other a little better,” he said. Team morale has been high throughout. Coach Lamppa talked about how the new varsity players have demonstrated leadership while JV players have shown eagerness to refine their skills. “The team has played so well this season! When we have had varsity players out, the next player up has come in and done an outstanding job covering for her,” he said. “It is a joy to coach this team. I’m really proud of how they conduct themselves as teammates and how they represent Arcadia athletics.”  With Coach Chris Campbell at the helm, the Broncos had another promising year with a 13-1 record at press time. The squad is currently second in the Division I Premier league. Brophy returned one player from their top six last year and remained competitive, speaking volumes to their winning culture. Coach Campbell specifically highlighted Samir Sumar and Brendan Linstrom. “Samir and Brendan are both very good tennis players with different skill sets. Brendan was successful in the All- American Invitational that he was named a high school All-American – he won all four of his matches playing No. 2 singles,” Coach Campbell said. “Samir is our high- octane freshman and, like Brendan, has a very bright future at Brophy playing tennis.” Each win had the Broncos coming back for more, with exciting matches against Chaparral, Perry, Pinnacle and Red Mountain cementing their path to playoff glory.  Veritas Prep has had plenty of ups and downs throughout a lengthy season. Head Coach Juan Gomez Vetta has built a team based on consistency and determination. According to him, they showed up every day ready to work to be one percent better than the day before. “This season has been defined by growth and competitiveness,” Coach Vetta said. “We have had several strong individual performances, along with several matches that came down to tiebreakers.” Veritas hasn’t been able to avoid the struggles that come with a tumultuous season. Limited court time and scheduling constraints made things difficult. As of press time, the boys were working with a 4-6 record; the girls at 4-7. Both play for Division III. “Both teams have stayed focused and adaptable. Players have stepped into Tennis teams conquer the court in 2026 season Avery Liu, Sasha Ambroson, Tessa Atkinson, Siena Stearns, Kennedy O’Connell, Sydney Peterson, Chloe Seidenberg, Caitlin Attwood, Cadence Phelps, Lauren Harper, Lilly Tigue, Lola Mazanek, Abby Hamilton and Sasha Cohen. PHOTO: DEAN LAMPPA (front) Darren Zell, Lev Jaffee, Brady Nelson, Tyler LeCount, Justin Wood. (middle) Mark Kaplan, Haan Lee, Samir Sumar, Layton Fincham, Teague Walker, Ezekiel Jaffee. (back) Head Coach Chris Campbell, Landon Conrad, Brendan Linstrom, Assistant Coach Matt Rollins and Assistant Coach Larry Ford. (front) Sylvia Vercellino, Cali Pennell, Makena McLachlin, Stella Helm. (middle) Victoria Sott, Leighton Champagne, Sofie Sott, Paolina Stender. (back) Coach Dani Dyer, Head Coach Joy Rodey and Assistant Coach Khristen Vanderwey. PHOTO COURTESY OF XAVIER PREP PHOTO: SIGNATURE IMAGES BROPHY PREP XAVIER PREP ARCADIA HIGH

45 MAY 2026 By Kylie de Best Arcadia High, Veritas and Xavier Prep have put in the work this season, balancing intense weekly practices with all-out efforts at tournaments. Along the way, players have built lasting friendships and unforgettable memories, and as the final matches approach, seniors are preparing for college while a new group of captains gets ready to step up.  The Lady Titans hit the sand with high expectations after last year’s state runner- up finish – and they’ve backed it up. Sitting at 8-2 and ranked among the top teams in the state, Arcadia won its first playoff game against Deer Valley, 3-2. Despite returning just two seniors – Priya Jain and Brenna Satran – and adding Trinity Thompson from the indoor program, the Titans leaned on a roster filled with freshmen and sophomores. While the lineup was young, the upside was undeniable, and Head Coach Adrian Chang saw a bright future for the program. Team chemistry was a key part of the ride. “Some of my favorite memories so far have been spending time before our games bonding with my teammates,” teammate Alitza Turley said. With their sports seasons at Arcadia coming to an end, Trinity will continue her indoor career at Benedictine University Mesa; Brenna will take her talents to MiraCosta College for beach volleyball, and Priya is still exploring her next step.  The Falcons battled through a tough schedule this season, using strong team chemistry and relentless energy as its foundation. Ranked seventh in Division II Skyline, the squad embraced every challenge, posting a 3-10 division record while continuing to grow. The team thrives on a balance of fun and fierce competition, bringing constant communication and high energy to every match. Even with shifting lineups and busy schedules, Veritas stayed resilient, leaning on adaptability and support for one another to stay competitive. One of the season’s most memorable moments came during a road trip to Payson. Battling cold, rainy conditions far removed from the usual Arizona heat, the team found a silver lining. “Although they didn’t win, they found it such a fun and unique experience,” Coach Analyn Martinez said. “It brought the team closer together.” Off the court, that bond shows just as much. Sophomore Emma Mulvihill recalled a standout moment: “Playing in the sprinklers during spring break – it was so wet you couldn’t even see through your glasses, and we were still trying to hit.” Senior Kadan Dubina, the team’s lone senior, plans to attend the University of Arizona and pursue a career in the medical field after graduation.  Xavier continues to dominate the sand, storming through the season with an undefeated 13-0 record heading into the final stretch of regular-season play. With a roster of 26 athletes and multiple pairs competing, the Gators have showcased both depth and consistency all season long. That dominance was on full display at the CatBox Classic Invitational in Tucson, where Xavier claimed the team title. Kate MacDonald and Viv Hickman captured the pairs championship, while several other teams made deep runs into the semifinals and finals. Experience has been the driving force behind Xavier’s success. “Focused practices centered on technical precision, smart decision-making and strong communication have helped the team maintain its edge,” Coach Tim McHale said. “Just as important, the players have built a tight-knit culture through team bonding and road trips.” “Being a part of this program has meant so much to me because it has provided me with relationships like no other,” teammate Delaney McHale said. “This team isn’t just a group of girls, it’s a family.” With a senior class that’s battled through big matches and defining moments, several players are set to continue their beach volleyball careers at the collegiate level – a testament to years of hard work both in the classroom and on the sand. Strong sets and bonding moments define beach volleyball season different roles when needed and have continued to show a strong commitment to improving and competing,” Coach Vetta said. Coach Vetta said he has talent across both teams in a competitive program. Several players stood out: August Engel was a strong presence at the top of the lineup, especially as a freshman, while Ethan Nguyen, Andrew Haden, and Peter Gignoux have made important contributions in singles and doubles. For the girls, Cate Schneider was a consistent contributor, and players like Wren Borazanci, Valeria Salazar, and Lauren Ledesma have stepped up in key moments. Overall, what stands out most is the collective effort and growth of the entire team.  The Gators had a strenuous season with many trials and tribulations. The program dealt with significant injuries and health issues throughout. “Losing most of our top six players at one time or another for weeks at a time has created huge coaching challenges and line-ups,” Co- head Coach Joy Rodey said. Even plagued with hurdles, Coach Rodey’s squad accumulated some memorable moments, including a 10-4 record and top 10 spot in Division I Premier. “Senior night is always memorable, honoring Ava and Cali with speeches, gifts, and watching them play their last doubles match together,” she said. According to Coach Rodey, sophomore Leighton Champagne consistently played at a high level. Junior Sylvia Vercellino played a big part in showing the freshmen the expectations and traditions of Xavier tennis through her leadership and experience on varsity. With all the injuries, “I can play!” has become the key slogan of Xavier’s season, demonstrating the team’s perseverance, even when met with adversity. Jade Smith, Priya Jain, Trinity Thompson, Brenna Satran, Breanne Eustice, Vida Cramer, Ellery Ducharme, Sienna Knight, Alitza Turley, Chloe Kurtzman, Georgia Fouts, Reagan Roether, Violet Bourgeois-Conti and Dalicia Ford. PHOTO COURTESY OF ADRIAN CHANG Zoe Felix, Margaret Haley, Kadan Dubina, Natalie Gilbert, Caroline Jonhson, Coach Analyn Martinez, Corinne Gilbert, Linnea Alley, Sofia Madigan, Katherine Huse, Brooke Gaintner and Emma Mulvihill. PHOTO COURTESY OF VERITAS PREP Scarlett Armstrong, Kylie Barr, McKenna Bjelic, Alia Dement, Fallon Fig, Leighton Fig, Monroe Fig, Elle Freeland, Gracie Graf, Chloe Harwell, Marcela Hickman, Vivian Hickman, Scarlett Ide, London Johnson, Mackinley Konderik, Sophia London, Kate MacDonald, Delaney McHale, Gina Monfeli, Emery O’Connor, Perry Osland, Sofia Peterson, Addison Putz, Emma Recuber, Kamryn Reeg and Emma Robescu. PHOTO COURTESY OF XAVIER PREP ARCADIA HIGH VERITAS PREP XAVIER PREP