Reich Didn't Let Surgery Sideline Him in Senior Year

He had hip surgery before the start of the season.  One of the best players on the Westfield Blue Devils boys tennis team was sidelined after what is considered big surgery for a high school athlete.

"Rehab was pretty intense," said senior captain Adam Reich. "Starting ten days after surgery I had to go to physical therapy three times a week and do the same exercises by myself the other four days."

The intense rehabilitation process did not discourage Reich, it just further motivated him.

"I knew my recovery would put me close to playing at the end of the season," said Reich. "I always wanted to go to therapy and do the exercises so I could get back. I never once thought about slacking."

Once Reich knew he was coming back, it was only a matter of time before he was back to playing singles.

"When I knew I was going to come back thought I was going to be on one of the doubles teams," said Reich. "Once I got back to the singles line up I knew I would have to get to a certain level to win every time."

Reich knew he had to get to a certain level of play so he could be competitive. The other senior captains not only knew this, but thought Reich coming back was the turning point of the season.

"I think it was extremely important," said Graeme Stahl. "His doctors said he wasn't going to be able to come back. The fact that he was so determined really helped."

"It was essential that Adam came back," said Justin Snyder. "Emotionally and in terms of depth it was huge."

They were not lying. Reich getting back to the team was that important. The Blue Devils had 14 straight victories when he came back. In the streak, Westfield defeated Chatham, the team they beat in the Tournament of Champions to win the title. Reich was the deciding point against the Cougars in a 3-2 victory. Without Reich in the line-up, they lost twice in the regular season to that same team.

The season was a huge success on the court, but for the X factor for Westfield who has been playing competitive tennis since eleven, the end result of the season was as important as being able to get back to playing with his friends.

"Justin, Scott, Graeme, and I had so many great moments during our four years together," said Reich, who will be playing tennis for Williams College. "We have been looking to senior year for a while. Being a senior and being on the team with your best friends was a great experience."

Editor's Note: This is the fourth and final part in a four part series on the captains of the 2010 state champion Westfield High School boys tennis team.

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