For many people, tennis is a game of stamina, focus, and mental toughness. For Tavius Schloss, a senior who has been on the team all four years, it is also a story of perseverance and proving to himself that quitting was never an option.
For Schloss, tennis can take on a more difficult route, being that he’s deaf. “The hardest part is just focusing and not letting people tell me I can’t do it,” he said. Despite moments when he thought about walking away, he is proud that he never gave up. “I kept going, even when it was tough. I didn’t quit.”
His coach, Mrs. Cromartie, describes him as not just a dedicated athlete but also a supportive teammate. “He’s been with us all four years, and he’s grown so much,” she said. “He always cheers for his teammates, he stays to watch everyone, and he’s just an all-around great athlete and student.”
In some instances, challenges do arise. In one match, his cochlear implant died leaving him without sound or an interpreter. Cromartie explained that they talked to his opponent and made hand signals so the game could continue. Experiences like this highlight not only his resilience but also the sportsmanship in high school athletics.
Tavius Schloss shows that tennis is about more than winning or losing. It is about persistence, respect, hard work, and the community built on the court.
