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TSSAA tennis: White House devotes first state tournament appearance to fallen coach





Lauryn and Sophia Ramirez celebrate Wednesday's Class A quarterfinal win against Dyersburg.BLAINE KELLAR

Lauryn and Sophia Ramirez celebrate Wednesday’s Class A quarterfinal win against Dyersburg.BLAINE KELLAR

MURFREESBORO – Lauryn Ramirez had plenty to think about Wednesday afternoon.

She and her younger sister and doubles partner, Sophia, found themselves trailing 40-love in a 7-5 match against Dyersburg in the Class A state quarterfinals.

Instead of considering their high-stakes situation on the court, the pair of White House sisters were thinking of coach Bill Rappuhn.

“He was just so incredibly motivating,” Lauryn said. “We could have walked off that court with a loss and he would’ve been as happy as ever knowing we gave it our all.

“That’s what motivated us, I think. Having his memory to play in honor of is just amazing.”

The Sumner County educator of 28 years and former White House tennis coach will be on the minds of many as the school continues competing this week in its inaugural state championship run.

Described as a “servant of White House,” Rappuhn was known in the community for his willingness to mentor and motivate those he came across. He spent 34 years as an teacher and died in August 2021 from COVID-19 complications.

From left to right: White House tennis coach David Hatcher, Sophia Ramirez, Lauryn Ramirez and assistant coach Jeanna Brown.BLAINE KELLAR

From left to right: White House tennis coach David Hatcher, Sophia Ramirez, Lauryn Ramirez and assistant coach Jeanna Brown.BLAINE KELLAR

“Everyone’s spirits at the school, and even on our team, were at an all-time low,” Lauryn said. “I think we’ve had to find our strength together and know that’s what he would have wanted.”

As a senior, Lauryn said it was challenging for the team to come out and compete this season, but they’ve come together to make history since his passing.

The Ramirez sisters – who sometimes slot as White House’s No. 1 and No. 2 players in singles – are the first girls tennis players to reach the state tournament in school history. As a team, the Blue Devils also played in the Class A sectional before falling to eventual state champion Summertown.

Lauryn and Sophia kept each other calm for a come-from-behind win in Wednesday’s quarterfinal against Dyersburg. The duo fell behind by two games twice and saved three separate match-point scenarios to rally back and beat the Trojans 9-7.

Sophia and Lauryn Ramirez talk with assistant coach Jeanna Brown.BLAINE KELLAR

Sophia and Lauryn Ramirez talk with assistant coach Jeanna Brown.BLAINE KELLAR

“It just helps me so much having her, because I know that she’s always got my back,” Sophia, a sophomore, said of playing with her older sister. “If I’m having an off day, she’ll just always be there.”

White House advanced to Wednesday evening’s Class A semifinal with the win, where the Ramirez sisters sit two wins away from the school’s first-ever state tennis title.

Rappuhn’s efforts will be far from unnoticed as the school’s tennis program gains attention and continues to make history on the courts in Murfreesboro.

“I think it’s clear that, after Coach Rappuhn died in August, the kids really rallied together,” head tennis coach David Hatcher said. “They wanted to do something special for him, so I’m glad that they’ve been able to do it.

“He made the tennis team like a family. It’s a little different now that he’s gone, but I really feel like the kids have picked up the torch. It still feels like a family even though he’s not with us anymore.”

Lauryn Ramirez hits a ball in the Class A doubles quarterfinals.BLAINE KELLAR

Lauryn Ramirez hits a ball in the Class A doubles quarterfinals.BLAINE KELLAR

Lauryn Ramirez hits a ball high for White House.BLAINE KELLAR

Lauryn Ramirez hits a ball high for White House.BLAINE KELLAR

Lauryn and Sophia Ramirez walk off the courts at the Adams Tennis Complex in Murfreesboro.BLAINE KELLAR

Lauryn and Sophia Ramirez walk off the courts at the Adams Tennis Complex in Murfreesboro.BLAINE KELLAR

Sophia Ramirez strikes the ball in a doubles match against Dyersburg.BLAINE KELLAR

Sophia Ramirez strikes the ball in a doubles match against Dyersburg.BLAINE KELLAR

Former White House tennis coach Bill Rappuhn.SUBMITTED

Former White House tennis coach Bill Rappuhn.SUBMITTED

 

 

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