Causing a Racquet
Junior Ethan Neil makes noise in the high school tennis circuit as he prepares to defend his state championship.
Boys sports at Papillion LaVista have not quite risen to extreme heights of recently. Meanwhile the girls dominate in nearly any sport they touch. One bright spot for the boys is junior tennis player Ethan Neil.
Neil is currently the number one ranked tennis player in Nebraska. He is fresh off a state championship win in his sophomore year.
“I did expect to be winning it or be in the championship,” Neil said. “Top four was one of my goals.”
The state championship is not the only place Neil competes against high level competitors. Neil plays in national tournaments across the country in places such as Missouri, South Dakota, Arizona, and Oklahoma.
“My favorite location was Georgia,” Neil said. “They had a super nice facility.”
As a result of all of Neil’s success, colleges have taken notice.
“My goal right now is to play in a power five school,” Neil said. “I look at the school’s academics and if they have a good culture that supports player development.”
When Neil decides which college to play tennis for, he would be following the already established line of tennis players in his family. His two older sisters, who play college tennis currently, were consequential in igniting Neil’s love for tennis.
“I started hitting with my sisters when I was three,” Neil said. “When I was seven or eight, I started to play in tournaments.”
With over 10 years of competitive experience Neil has developed into a force on the tennis court.
“My forehand is the best part of my game,” Neil said. “I look to use that as a weapon.”
However, the four-star tennis recruit is still trying to better himself and improve on his game.
“I am still working on my return and serve,” Neil said.
Even if tennis is considered more of a solo-sport, Neil has always loved the team bond he has experienced while playing.
“My favorite tennis memory is just traveling around with the team on the bus,” Neil said.
As demonstrated by his impressive resume that includes wins against some of the best tennis players in the nation, a state championship win, and a number one overall state ranking, Neil will look ahead to continue his dominance and bring back another state trophy in 2019.
