This fall, the Coppell tennis team has found more than wins on the court; they have found unity.
Coppell tennis has advanced to the state tournament for the first time in school history. With a mix of seasoned veterans and rising freshmen, the program is in the midst of its deepest playoff run.
Coppell, ranked No. 6 in the state, plays No. 1 Austin Westwood at 8 a.m. Wednesday in the Class 6A semifinals at Waco Regional Tennis and Fitness Center. The team claimed the Class 6A Region I championship with a 10-8 victory over Southlake Carroll.
“We are working as a unified team with lots of talent on the girls side and a young guys side with a lot of fight and heart on the courts,” senior captain Rhea Guru said. “We have grown into one big family”
That fight was on full display earlier in the season against Flower Mound.
With the score locked at 9-9, freshman Varsha Sivaprasad stepped onto the court in a deciding 10-point tiebreaker. She was able to thrive and dominate to secure the win for Coppell.
“It showed how much our younger players are stepping up,” Guru said.
Coppell coach Alyssa Noonan sees that resilience as the defining trait of this year’s squad.
“We have some of the most skilled players in the state competing on our team,” Noonan said. “But above all else, they play with grit and heart in every match.”
That grit shows up in practice, where players balance intensity with growth. A typical session begins with a dynamic warmup before transitioning into drills and match play. The focus this season has been on aggressive all-court play and sharpening doubles strategy.
“Collectively, we have continued to work to improve our doubles positioning and strategy this year,” Noonan said. “Each day, we pair players in ways that give them the most exposure to different play styles and it’s helping everyone grow.”
That bond extends beyond tennis. Players are expected to put academics first, but communication between coaches, teachers, and families allows the athletes to thrive in both classrooms and competitions.
For Noonan, this season has already been instrumental in setting the tone for the program’s future.
“Life becomes easier when you have a community of people supporting you,” Noonan said. “We have created a supportive culture within the tennis program where players are able to be themselves.”
Guru thinks the season will be measured by the team’s fight.
“At the end of the day, it’s not just about the wins,” she said. “It’s about knowing we left everything on the court.”
With determination, talent, and unity, Coppell tennis is not just playing matches; it is building a legacy.
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