from left:  Nicholas, Anthony, Joseph and Jonathan play numbers 1 through 4 on the boys' varsity team

4/7/07:  Up until 2006, only girls played varsity team tennis at Blessed Sacrament Huguenot Academy (BSHA).   The school, located in Powhatan,  is a PK-12th Catholic school with a full enrollment of 500 students. It participates in the Virginia Commonwealth Conference along with Steward, Tidewater Academy, and Christchurch.

Catherine Pfab was the first of the Pfabs to make her mark on the Blessed Sacrament courts.  The former Homecoming Queen also reigned as the #2 singles player, and 1/2 of the #1 BSHA girls doubles team.  The 18 year old is off to college now, but there's no shortage of Pfabs to worry about.  Catherine has 8 siblings - one sister, and seven brothers -- who hope to bring success and attention to the school's tennis program. 

Anthony, Joseph, Nicholas and Jonathan Pfab make up 2/3 of this year's Blessed Sacrament boys team.  It is just the second year the school has been able to field a team, and it won't be the last.  Although Anthony will graduate this year, 11 year old Evan will step up to take his place in 2008.  "He probably has the most potential," said mom, Rachel. "Evan started tennis earlier.  He almost has the skills to play on the varsity now, but he's too young."

Rachel and her husband, local dentist Michael Pfab, encouraged their children to take up the sport for many reasons.  The kids can give you a list, but among them are affordability, accessibility and longevity (maybe not in those exact terms).

With nine kids to teach and equip, the Pfabs found that tennis was something they could help the kids learn, and something they could do their whole life.  Michael had played a little tennis in college, and Rachel caught the tennis bug a short time after Evan was born.  While most of the kids have tried, and still play other sports (particularly basketball), tennis is something they all can play together.  And there's always ample practice partners.

As far as tennis's other benefits: "You get to run!" said Joseph. 

"You are your own coach," said Nicholas.

Like many other schools in the area, Blessed Sacrament has teachers who double as coaches.  The boys' coach, Andy Janto, has coached school athletic teams for thirty years.  Janto works with the Pfabs in English class and on the courts.  He's also the basketball coach in the winter, where 6' 2" Anthony was the team's leading scorer.

The smaller school environment helps to build confidence, and Janto says that it helps that the Pfabs are all "competitors."

"They're all different," said Coach Janto.  "Joseph, the #1 player, is a student of the game.  He's more methodical in his approach.

"Anthony, at #2, is more emotional.  He's the big hitter, who takes chances.  He's either going to win the point, or lose the point.

"Nicholas, at #3, is the most improved player.  As an 8th grader, his skills are definitely increasing.  And Jonathan, the 7th grader, is a great hustler."

Janto hasn't seen little brother Evan hit yet, but he hears good things.  "They're all great kids."

He speaks not only about their tennis talents, but other talents as well. All four Pfabs are Honor Roll students.  

Joseph is a straight A student with a 4.0 GPA.  When the Shanghai Quartet comes to the Powhatan Performing Arts Center next month, the 16 year old will be playing the piano at intermission.   Jonathan played the lead "Oliver" in the drama department's production of Oliver Twist.

While the brothers may be great competitors, they enjoy each other's company.  Besides Catherine, Anthony, Joseph, Nicholas and Jonathan, there's Evan (11), Christine (8), Brendan (6) and Jacob (3).

"There's lots to do," said Joseph.  None of them can imagine what it would be like to be an only child, and wouldn't wish for it.  "I'd be very bored," said Jonathan.

If there is a downside to having so many players in one family, it would be that playing in local tournaments is cost prohibitive.  "You can't really sign up just one player, so you have to consider the expense to play," said Rachel.  "We usually have to say 'no'.  

"Once, last year, they all wanted to play in an L-5 in town," she explained.  "We looked to see if there was a consolation round, just to make sure that everyone got to play at least two matches, and it would make sense financially.  There was supposed to be one in this particular tournament, but it turned out that there were so many entries the club decided to cancel the back draw after we entered.

"That was very disappointing, so we haven't entered any since."

As it is, the kids are always searching the internet for new tennis 'stuff' to buy.  Anthony paid for his Wilson racquet by working as a dental assistant at his Dad's practice.  The other three, who all play with Babolats, string their own racquets to help with costs.

And lessons? The Pfabs are members of ACAC, and take some clinics there.  Most of the private lessons are from Dad, who emphasizes one major point.

"He tells us that he doesn't care if we win or lose but that we always have to play our game, and focus on our strokes," said Joseph.  

However, this weekend the Pfabs will be focusing on something else.  Easter Sunday, the family of 11 will gather for dinner where everyone is a position player.  

"Johnny is the desert maker," explained Rachel.  "Joseph makes the salad and Anthony is the griller.  

"Nicholas - he'll eat everything on his plate."

What coach wouldn't tell his players to go for it when the opportunity arises?

by Sara James