Soap Lake senior Xavier Ewing takes second in state tournament
CALEB PEREZ | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 months AGO
Soap Lake senior Xavier Ewing responds to an oncoming hit from his opponent during the state tournament over the weekend.
CALEB PEREZ/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
Eagles Head Coach Lee Leavell, left, talks with Xavier Ewing, right, in between sets during the state tourney in Yakima.
Xavier Ewing from the Eagles gets ready to make a hit back to his opponent in the state tournament over the weekend.
Eagles senior Xavier Ewing gets ready to serve the ball to his opponent over the weekend in the 1B State Tennis tourney.
YAKIMA — The 1B/2B State Tennis tournament came to a close Saturday as Soap Lake Eagles senior Xavier Ewing made the championships and took second place. Ewing said he was very happy with what he accomplished in his senior season and what it meant for the program.
“I want to leave behind that I’m the first to make it to the finals for Soap Lake history for a fat minute,” said Ewing. “It’s been a long time since someone has made it to the finals for a state championship in any sport.”
As he got ready for this year’s tournament, Ewing said he entered this year’s tournament with confidence as he had prior experience competing at this level, but went in with the mindset knowing it would be his last chance to compete at this level, and he wanted to give his all and have fun while doing it.
“I felt pretty comfortable with how I’ve been playing this whole season,” the senior said. “It’s been smooth sailing, so I just played myself and had fun.”
Ewing started off the state tournament early Friday morning with a match against Okanogan’s Aiden Gaines. The senior Eagle was dominant in the first set as he was loose on his feet and won 6-2. Gaines found momentum in the second set to make it much closer, but Ewing maintained his rhythm and earned a 6-4 victory.
Going into the semifinals, Ewing faced Eshan Reddy from St. George. The two battled it out in the first set with Ewing gaining a 6-2 win and things went similarly in the second set as the Soap Lake senior earned another 6-2 victory.
With this victory, Ewing punched his ticket into the championship match Saturday afternoon.
The championships came between Ewing and a familiar rival in Ben Rasmusson from Manson. Rasmusson got the upper hand in the first set as he earned a 6-1 victory over Ewing giving him an early advantage.
Ewing snapped back in the second set as he earned a 6-3 victory to put the match into a tiebreaker round. The tiebreaker was evenly matched as the two top players went back and forth, but ultimately Rasmusson claimed the championship with a 6-4 victory in the final set giving Ewing a second-place finish.
“I am a little upset that I did not win, but I’m happy with what I got. I gave it my all,” said Ewing.
Eagles Head Coach Lee Leavell said he was very proud of the effort that his player gave.
“He competed his heart out; he did everything he could, so I am more than proud of Xavier in the effort he put forth,” said Leavell. “It just didn’t go our way, that’s how life works and that’s okay.”
This effort was reflected across the entire senior class for the Soap Lake tennis team as the coach said they all grew close together, and the experience contributed to the growth of the program.
“I feel like especially with this group more than any other group of the past, I think that they helped me grow into a coach just as much as I coached them into a player,” he said. “I feel like I’ve had them for a long time, and I’ve got to know how to deal with personalities and how to manage really tough situations ... I feel like they’ve made me into the person that I am, and I’m just really grateful for that opportunity and hope they understand how much I appreciate them being there by my side just like I was there by their side the entire time.”
Ewing said he enjoyed the opportunity to finish his high school tennis career in the state tournament, as it allowed him to compete in the sport that he is passionate about and had fun doing it. Even though his high school tennis career is over, he still plans to keep up with the sport and continue to play throughout his adult life.
Looking back on his entire tennis career, the senior said he enjoyed the memories he made alongside his coaches and teammates.
“The memories of bus trips when we’d go places, getting in trouble, just all of it is a good memory,” he said.
With the season concluded, Leavell said he thanks all the parents and Soap Lake community for their support of these athletes over the season.
“Everyone’s support throughout the season for this great group of seniors and I hope that they continue to support us for years to come, just thank you to them,” the coach said.
Ewing also thanked all those who supported him as he competed in tennis over the years.
“I would like to give a big shoutout to my mom for providing me with money for games and tennis gear and (the support from) the coaches,” he said.
RESULTS
QUARTERFINALS
Xavier Ewing (SPLK) def. Aiden Gaines (OKNG), 6-2, 6-4
SEMIFINALS
Xavier Ewing (SPLK) def. Eshan Reddy (SGRG), 6-2, 6-2
FINALS
Ben Rasmusson (MNSN) def. Xavier Ewing (SPLK), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4
Eagles Head Coach Lee Leavell, left, talks with Xavier Ewing, right, in between sets during the state tourney in Yakima.
Xavier Ewing from the Eagles gets ready to make a hit back to his opponent in the state tournament over the weekend.
Eagles senior Xavier Ewing gets ready to serve the ball to his opponent over the weekend in the 1B State Tennis tourney.ARTICLES BY CALEB PEREZ
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