Most families have an activity or something special they do together. Some like to fish, hunt, play board games, ski, ride bikes or take hikes. The Hackett family likes to play tennis – and sisters Emma and Maggie are key components on a Durango High School team that is putting together an impressive season.
The Hacketts are a combined 10-2 in matches so far this year. Maggie, a senior, is 5-1 and came through with a clutch victory in an extra set tiebreaker last week to clinch the team’s match against Grand Junction.
Emma, a sophomore, is also 5-1. She has lost just one league match this year, and DHS as a whole was undefeated in duals until Saturday’s narrow loss to Fruita Monument.
After learning from their father, Dan, who played in college, and older sister Kit, a star for the Demons before graduating in 2015, it’s no surprise to see the girls excelling at the high school level.
“We’ve had rackets in our hands since we were like 4 or 5,” Maggie said. “When we’d go on family vacations, we’d all bring our rackets and have tennis tournaments. It’s just something we’ve always done as a family.”
As the Durango team’s No. 2 and No. 3 singles players, Maggie and Emma play matches next to each other. They root for each other while they are playing and, when one of them finishes, the other immediately heads over to root for her sister.
“It’s really fun because we get to cheer for each other and help out during the matches,” Emma said. “It helps to have the constant encouragement. It feels like we’re a team out there sometimes even though we’re playing alone.”
Like most siblings, the Hackett sisters have a few of their own interests. Maggie played volleyball for years before dedicating her time to cross country and tennis for the Demons. Emma also runs and played significant minutes on a DHS girls basketball team that made it to the Sweet 16 in this year’s state tournament, and she’s fallen in love with the game.
“I think I like basketball better,” Emma said. “The girls this year just made it really fun for me. I’m so competitive and that’s a different level of competition I guess. I do love tennis and that’s what we’ve always done as a family, but basketball is kind of my thing away from that.”
When the Demons played a home game, it didn’t take very long for those in attendance to find Emma’s No. 1 fan in the stands.
“I absolutely love going to Emma’s basketball games,” Maggie said. “I make signs and go kind of crazy in the stands. She really inspires me out there.”
Tennis isn’t the only thing the Hackett girls have in common. They’re both straight-A students and enjoy math and science. Emma has an interest in genetic engineering, and Maggie thinks she might pursue chemical engineering next year in school either at the University of Colorado or Texas A&M.
No matter where Maggie goes off to next year, she’ll leave a void on the court and in the stands that her sister will certainly miss.
“I know I’m going to miss her so much,” Emma said. “Sometimes I have to remind myself that she’ll be gone soon and I need to enjoy these times more. These are the last couple times we’ll be playing side by side, and that’s kind of sad.”
The way the Demons and the Hacketts are playing, the sisters may be destined to end their season at the state tournament.
“Our lineup is super deep this year,” Maggie said. “Mavis Edwards has been a big boost for us. I feel like I’ve improved. and I’m so proud of Emma because she has gotten so much better, too. As a team, I think finishing first or second at regionals is a good goal. Individually, I’d love to make it to state.”
Just because they won’t be on the same team anymore after this year doesn’t mean the sisters won’t go head to head at the next family gathering.
“We’re just a tennis-oriented family,” Emma said. “I always want to try and beat Maggie and say I beat my older sister, but it never happens. Now, I just try to learn as much as I can from her and enjoy her company as much as possible while she’s still here.”
jfries@durangoherald.com
Behind the scenes
Emma
What is your nickname?: Eminator. My dad calls me that.
What is your favorite sports movie?: “Unbroken”
Which teacher or coach has had a great impact on your life?: Klint Chandler has really helped me a lot in basketball.
What place would you most like to visit one day?: New Zealand.
What is your favorite restaurant in town?: I like a good burger and my favorite is the buffalo burger at Carver Brewing Co.
Maggie
What is your nickname?: Scarface
Who is your favorite athlete?: Roger Federer
What is your favorite vacation spot?: Santa Monica, California, or Telluride
If they made a movie about your life, who would play your role?: Emma Stone
Which teacher or coach has had a great impact on your life?: Dale Garland. He’s a student council teacher at DHS and he’s been a huge influence on my life.
