Hicswa brothers relish opportunity to play together

Head to state today in Gillette

Posted 9/22/22

It’s not often that athletes get the opportunity to compete with their siblings in high school, but the Hicswa brothers, Kalin and Keegan, have earned an even more unique opportunity to play …

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Hicswa brothers relish opportunity to play together

Head to state today in Gillette

Posted

It’s not often that athletes get the opportunity to compete with their siblings in high school, but the Hicswa brothers, Kalin and Keegan, have earned an even more unique opportunity to play together at No. 1 doubles for the Panther tennis team.

Kalin is a senior while Keegan is a junior, which has allowed the two brothers to remain close both on and off the court while Kalin winds down his tennis career at Powell High School.

The brothers have both been involved in tennis since middle school, and have been playing together whenever they get the opportunity, although this is the first year they’ve been able to play on varsity as a doubles team. 

“It really means a lot to have a partner I know I can rely on and will make good plays consistently,” Kalin Hicswa said.

Keegan said it is special to be able to play with his brother because they do not have to worry about things you would have to worry about with another partner.

Rivalries and trying to be better than the other typically comes up when siblings compete, but while the pair continues to compete against each other individually, they go back and forth on who is the better tennis player because they both know each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

When playing, the brothers use simple communication to work together and play to their strengths, which typically leads to Keegan playing at the net while Kalin plays behind.

“Kalin and Keegan continue to recognize where they can be effective,” coach Joe Asay said. “They are being smart tennis players, Keegan recognizes his talents at the net and Kalin in behind has helped them to develop their game.”

The pair said sometimes they do not even have to say anything, and being able to tell each other something through body language gives them an edge.

Still, with all the time on the court together, taking tennis issues home typically is not an issue for the duo, with any issues at the court typically resolved before heading home.

The Hicswas have found some success playing together, recording a 4-8 record this season while going against their opponents’ top doubles teams. 

Kalin and Keegan said they are looking forward to playing together at the state tournament, with the Panthers heading to Gillette to take part Thursday (today) through Saturday.

The first matchup for the Hicswas is against the pair of Davidson/Torres from Cheyenne South.

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