Sisters senior Ella Gates and freshman Scarlett Gates have more in common than just a last name: they’ve been playing tennis their whole lives and finally got to play on the varsity tennis team together — for one season only.
With six children in the Gates family, the sport started out as something to keep them busy but later led to them all playing on the varsity team.
“We started playing tennis when we were really young because there were a lot of us, and we were all really hyper,” Ella said. “So, they needed us in an activity, and they picked tennis because it’s an individual sport, and they didn’t have to deal with team requirements.”
For Ella and Scarlett, tennis has impacted every part of their life, including school.
“We sacrificed our entire childhood to play,” Ella said. “Kids were going to sleepovers and having playdates, but we were at tennis practice for three and a half hours. We had limited experiences, but then at the same time, in the world of tennis, I get way more experiences than anyone else because I am introduced to all these really cool people from really cool backgrounds. I get to go a lot of places. I’ve been everywhere across the nation; Scarlett has, too.”
Ella went to New Mark Middle School, and Scarlett went to Bell Prairie Elementary School before they stopped attending public school to do an online private school so they could train more.
“I love school, but after fourth grade, I started online school and left all my friends, so that was kind of sad,” Scarlett said. “While other kids were having fun and going on trips, I was going to tennis tournaments, dying in the heat. I would say the sacrifice is worth it because I love winning. I’ve always been playing tennis, but I love tennis.”
Ella said the tennis lifestyle impacted their lives in both a positive and negative way. She has played in tennis tournaments on Thanksgiving, New Years and Christmas weekends, and her birthday.
The girls attend in-person school for one block every school day, go to tennis practice and do online school and then head back to school to practice with the team. Their dedication is driven by their passion for the sport and competition.
“I really like the feeling of winning,” Ella said. “When I lose, I want to go back on court as soon as possible so I can redeem myself. There’s no stopping that desire to win. I love the feeling of playing. I can do it in my sleep. It’s just amazing.”
As far as playing on the same team together, it seems to be a special time to them both.
“It’s fun, and it’s definitely an enjoyable experience because I can be with her,” Scarlett said. “I like being on the team because I get to see my sister, and I get to be a part of a team with her.”
“I get the team experience while still being able to have a familial relationship with Scarlett,” Ella said. “It’s a different vibe, for sure. When I’m with Scarlett, I’m a little more comfortable with telling her things in doubles than I would be with a different partner. I know that she knows me better than any other player on the team, and therefore, she will understand what I’m trying to say and won’t really take it personally.”
As this tennis season is coming to an end, the sisters have something exciting to look forward to. They have both qualified for state as a doubles team and will have one last school match to play together.
