The Shadow
LOW MOOR, Va. (VR) – In sports, there are days when the scoreboard tells only a fraction of the story. For the Alleghany boys tennis team, Monday’s 5-1 loss to a sharp Spotswood squad marked the end of their postseason hopes—but not the end of what made this 2025 season one of the most memorable in program history. It was a day that tested their resolve, showcased their fight, and reminded everyone watching just how special this group of Cougars has been.
The final result didn’t define them. A 14-1 season record speaks louder than any single match ever could. From the first serve of the spring to the final handshake, this team captured something greater than wins—they captured the heart of their school and the respect of their region. With Head Coach Seth Davis at the helm, they competed with purpose, with unity, and with the kind of drive that turns a good team into a great one.
The match against Spotswood was tighter than the score suggested. Four sets went to tiebreakers—those small, pressure-packed moments where momentum can tilt a match. Of those four, Spotswood claimed three, swinging the match in their favor. Had just a couple of those gone Alleghany’s way, everything might have changed heading into doubles. But as Davis later reflected, “Spotswood is a classy, well-coached program,” and his team matched them point for point in grit and intensity.
Senior Eli Entsminger’s singles match, one of the closest on the day, remained unfinished as Spotswood clinched the team victory before it concluded. It was a fitting symbol of the season—not everything ends the way you want, but the effort, the heart, the promise of what could have been was always there.
But more than rackets and rallies, what will endure from this season are the people. Seniors Chase Depriest, Eli Entsminger, Gavin Via, and Bryce Crawford leave behind more than wins—they leave behind a culture. They’ve been leaders since they were sophomores, setting a tone of discipline, enthusiasm, and camaraderie that became the foundation of Alleghany’s success. Coach Davis put it best: “They became great tennis players, but more importantly, we could depend on them every day. When you can win and have fun, that’s a great combination.”
This was a team that not only dominated the regular season but did so with sportsmanship, humility, and joy. Whether battling under gray skies or shining under a spring sun, they were dependable, tight-knit, and relentless. And they were a reflection of their coach’s calm leadership and belief in every player on the roster.
Yes, the Cougars fell short of a state run. But no, this season wasn’t a loss. It was an emphatic statement of how far Alleghany tennis has come—and where it’s headed. The seniors leave a high bar for the next generation, but they also leave a blueprint: show up, work hard, play smart, and lift each other up.
And maybe that’s the real win—the bond forged, the lessons learned, the memories made on buses, backcourts, and long practices where laughter mixed with sweat. This was a team that didn’t just play tennis. They lived it.
