It’s not uncommon for champion athletes to share a close camaraderie with teammates, but some are closer than others.
Juniors Isabella and Erika Gallegos are twin sisters, and they are the anchors of Coronado High’s girls tennis team. Their familial connection has helped the rest of the roster unite, and the Cougars are the favorites to win a second straight 5A team championship after breaking Palo Verde’s streak of five consecutive titles last year.
Individually, Isabella is a two-time defending state doubles champion and Erika is a two-time state runner-up.
Though the sisters share a deep bond, they are smart enough to avoid scenarios that might put them up against each other. That’s partially why one plays singles while the other plays doubles.
“There’s always been some competitiveness,” Erika said. “It wasn’t the mindset going in, but now we know we don’t like to play each other.”
Isabella insisted that relationship is a positive thing.
“We definitely grew up really competitive, but we get each other motivated,” she said. “I feel like now, we’re each other’s biggest fans.”
Cougars’ coach David Willingham said the relationship is right where it needs to be.
“Anytime you have someone close that can push you, it can be great motivation,” he said. “There’s a perfect dynamic of love-hate. It’s like ‘Nobody can hit my sister but me.’ It’s amazing to watch.”
Willingham admitted he couldn’t tell the two apart for a season or two, but he has learned that his team leaders are not always identical.
“Bella’s a little more outwardly emotional,” he said. “Erika plays more with an inner fire.”
Erika hopes to use that inner fire to match her sister this season with a state title that has narrowly eluded her for two years. That goal a little more realistic last month when two-time defending state singles champion Remi Rice of Palo Verde elected to leave high school tennis to play in outside tournaments. Rice had been Erika’s nemesis, having defeated her in the 2024 and 2025 state tourneys.
So far, so good. Erika is 8-0 with Coronado this season and is ranked 17th in Nevada by Universal Tennis Rating. Her sister is 9-0 with doubles partner Elyse Rygg and is ranked ninth. Both are favored to win high school championships this season, as Willingham says they share a solid work ethic that sets an example for teammates. That could be pivotal because Palo Verde is hungry to reclaim its title.
“You can 100 percent tell when (the twins) are here at practice,” Willingham said. “They excite the other girls. They’re leaders not just by their ability but also by their energy.”
That energy will be necessary because every team the Cougars play this season will be looking to knock off the champions.
“I definitely feel like there’s a target on our backs,” Isabella said.
Her sister agreed.
“A lot of the major schools are looking at us differently,” Erika said. “But we’re just trying to stay in a good mental state and not get cocky.”
The sisters have another year of eligibility after this season, followed by a potential opportunity to play collegiate tennis.
“They’ve got a shot at (college play),” Willingham said. “They’re right on the border now. You don’t get to be that good without working hard at the game and taking time to enjoy it.”
Coronado (3-0) hosts Clark at 4 p.m. Wednesday, but the real action will occur when the Cougars host Palo Verde on Sept. 16. That match will give the Gallegos sisters a realistic gauge of what needs to happen when the state tournament rolls around in early October.
Contact Jeff Wollard at jwollard@reviewjournal.com.
