Saint John’s Cevera, Zheng share county tennis of the year award

Nov. 11—This season’s most enthralling matches featuring the Saint John tennis teams may not have been actual matches at all, but rather the practice duels between Alyssa Cevera and Mickey Zheng. “It was incredible,” beamed Heralds coach Todd Nassief, describing the intense sessions between the two. “To watch Mickey and Alyssa, it was just great.”

Cevera and Zheng emerged as prime examples of iron sharpening iron this autumn for the Heralds tennis squad. Their exceptional performances propelled Saint John to an 18-2 record and the county team championship, ultimately leading to both players being named Ashtabula County Co Girls Tennis Players of the Year for 2023.

Cevera, a three-time award recipient, had no qualms about sharing the spotlight with Zheng, who not only became a rival, but also a close friend. “It’s still as special as ever,” Cevera said. “Being able to play with my team and share it with someone so talented is wonderful.”

For Zheng, the honor of sharing the award with someone she deeply respects added extra significance. “Alyssa is the player I looked up to when I first started playing. So, being able to share it with her is quite the honor,” Zheng commented.

Rather than harboring any disappointment, Cevera focused on delivering exceptional play, finishing the season with a 20-2 record at second singles. She credited Zheng for pushing her to be better, emphasizing the impact of their friendly competition. “Having that friendly competition, we were always pushing each other to see who could be better. It was great having someone like that on the same team,” Cevera stated.

Nassief, impressed by Cevera’s talent and dedication, marveled at her relentless work ethic. “If she wasn’t half an hour early for practice, I’d think something must’ve happened to her,” the coach said. “Seeing the way she handled herself after Zheng took over at first singles brought my respect to another level.”

Cevera’s leadership and exemplary play helped fill the void left by her sister, Emily, and earned her her 91st career victory, surpassing Emily’s record of 88, cementing the family’s legacy in the Heralds’ tennis program.

Looking ahead, Cevera expressed gratitude for the friendships and camaraderie fostered throughout her time with the tennis team. Conversely, Zheng has ambitious goals for her future in tennis, aspiring to make a deeper impact in the sport. “I just want to keep getting better … see how good of a player I can be,” Zheng remarked.

Through unwavering dedication and coachability, Zheng aims to make impressive strides in her tennis career, aspiring to reach the district tournament and potentially beyond in the coming years. Nassief, acknowledging Zheng’s exceptional qualities, expressed full confidence in her ability to achieve new heights in the sport.