He comes from “The Town Without a Toothache”: Hereford, TX.

407 miles from the high school, it’s a place with a high level of fluorine in the water (which helps prevent tooth decay), and it’s a place with a lot cattle in the area.

For junior Sybrand Cnossen it’s where he grew up.  But over the summer he and his family moved to Fairview.  It wasn’t easy leaving his friends behind, but Cnossen found a way to quickly make his mark at his new school. All it took was for him to step foot on the Leopard tennis courts for a tryout tournament, and everything fell into place.

“He has really good returns and plays well in doubles,” head coach Adam Cherry said. “Also he steps up and isn’t afraid to take on other number ones.”

Being number one isn’t easy as it requires a lot of hard work and practice outside of school.

“I do running outside of school and lift weights a few days a week,” Cnossen said. “I also hit outside of school about 4 to 5 times a week for 2 to or 3 hours.”

The school has traditionally done well in tennis, but now with the addition of Cnossen, the team could be even better, and so far they are undefeated this season.

“Overall we are a really solid team, and I think we will win districts and possibly win state,” sophomore Grady Wells said.

Cnossen has been playing tennis since he was eleven years old and has loved it ever since.

“I started playing when my sister took me to a school camp, and I really didn’t want to go, but I have loved it ever since,” Cnossen said. “My favorite thing about it was meeting all of the people that you got to play.”

Typically being the new kid is awkward, but not for Cnossen.

“Lovejoy is much better than my old school,” Cnossen said. “The teachers are better, the coaches are more involved, it’s just overall a great school, and the team is very supportive.”