When I came to CBA four years ago, tennis was probably in the back of my mind. I had played the sport up until high school and intended on trying out, but the daunting new task of going through the rigors of the Academy distracted me for my first semester. Like many CBA students, I "survived" that first semester and have thrived since.

Come March of my freshman year when my grades steadied, I was excited to get the chance to try out for tennis. I distinctly remember when Coach Smith told me I made the JV team that year. He was very transparent in the fact that I was towards the bottom of the lineup. I did not care. I was just happy to make the team and have the opportunity to improve.

During my sophomore and junior years, I again made the JV team and enjoyed every minute of it. Whether it was beating Don Bosco after being down a set during my sophomore year or being able to play in a couple of varsity matches my junior year, tennis quickly became something that defined my CBA career.

This year, I was particularly excited because I had a chance to be in the varsity lineup more regularly. I would be lying if I said a part of me was not angry. It is crazy to imagine that I may have stepped on the CBA courts for the final time. I feel terrible for the other four seniors who are going through the same thing. All of us were going to accomplish "firsts" of our own during our final spring season.

I would like to thank Coach Smith who has continued to believe in me over the past four years and has given me opportunities I would have never imagined. I would like to thank Coach Mottola for teaching me how to play doubles and thank Coach O’Connor for guiding me through my junior season. I would like to also thank the countless teammates who have made my CBA tennis career even better.

On a final note, I am at peace with this whole situation because, if there is one thing I have learned in the past four years, it is that CBA is a school of champions, not quitters. What we can do now is keep ourselves in the best possible shape to get back out on the courts whenever that may be. Go Colts!

- Nicholas Libertucci '20