The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School girls’ tennis team is now the official pride of the Island after winning the state championship for the fourth straight year. The girls on this dream team are something to crow about, among them doubles standouts Kat Roberts and Lizzie Williamson (who are also seniors and best friends), and singles standouts Kelly Klaren, Hannah Rabasca and Victoria Scott. All pressed to victory Tuesday afternoon under a blazing sun on the courts at Newton South High School. The picture captured by Gazette photographer Ray Ewing of Kelly Klaren striding across the court, racquet in hand, after clinching the title with her match, perfectly sums up their collective resolve.

The accomplishments of this team did not come overnight and are rooted in the hard work, sacrifice and dedication required to excel in any sport, bolstered even further by strong families, community support and coaches who are leaders and mentors at the top of their game. In that way the girls’ tennis team is holistic in the best sense of the word.

Both the boys and girls tennis teams at the regional high school have grown progressively stronger year after year. This is almost entirely due to the Vineyard Youth Tennis Center, the remarkable program founded by Gerald DeBlois of West Tisbury twenty years ago that provides free tennis instruction for Island children.

By making the sport available for all Island children, regardless of their parents’ ability to pay, the youth tennis center has not only been a feeder for the high school tennis program but also an equalizer that reaches beyond the modest facility tucked off Barnes Road in Oak Bluffs.

As Mr. DeBlois’s involvement comes to an end, board members and leaders of the Youth Tennis Center are at work on a plan to carry on his legacy and sustain this important program.

Meanwhile, coming home on the 8:30 p.m. ferry Tuesday night after prevailing in their hard-won match against Winchester, the number one seed in their division, the Vineyard girls received a hero’s welcome in the true Island style. The captain on the Island Home made an announcement over the loudspeaker and cheers went up around the passenger decks. Cars on the freight deck honked their horns in appreciation. As the ferry pulled into the slip, portside in Vineyard Haven a large contingent that included fire trucks, police cars and a crowd of family, schoolmates and fans were there greet the team coming off the boat.

This is the Vineyard at its very best, wrapping its children in a warm embrace, celebrating their accomplishments, sharing their joy.

Welcome home to the four-time Island champs. Thanks for making us proud.