Senior Statement: Matthew Dyck

Matthew is a really dedicated tennis player. Ever since his freshman year, he has had great strengths as a tennis player. He can crush his forehand. He has quick reflexes. He keeps great focus, striving to get better. I love that Matthew has been an inquisitive player, often seeking coach’s advice for some problem in his game. Throughout the summer, he was one who found time to play tennis, and it was fun to watch he and Austin start to form some chemistry in their doubles play together.

Through his tennis career, it was always uncertain whether he would be a singles player or a doubles player. He is very consistent, which favors singles - but has some aggressive tendencies, which favors doubles. He’s also been someone whose been draw into close matches throughout his career, which means he’s constantly challenging, pushing, and continuing to believe. This year, he’s had some really exciting matches - from the NorthWood victory, to some of he and Austin’s close defeats.

In all of his tennis, one thing that stands out to me about Matthew is that he is a great listener. We often have “walk and talks” before practice, where I will ask the guys a question and have them partner up and share their thoughts. Matthew is such a good listener, drawing others into sharing and processing their thoughts - about tennis or about life and faith. In my conversations with Matthew, he is eager to hear my perspective, whether that be about how to work at his backhand or some matter of life. It is easy to see, by the way that Matthew listens, that he cares. He cares about tennis, and he cares about people.

I can see God’s Spirit in him through the gentleness that he brings to each conversation. Even when in disagreement, or when he has a different opinion, he is not overbearing or angry. He continues to listen and then speaks with wisdom. I appreciate this about him, the way that he dissects tennis, sets goals, and pursues them - because he cares about getting better. But also the way that he cares about his teammates, his opponents, his coaches, all the people that he gets to share these courts with. We will miss Matthew’s presence on the team.

Verse: James 1:19-20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.