Western Albemarle’s Sturman twins shine in state tennis championships

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) – For the Sturman twins, tennis is more than a sport, it’s a piece of longstanding family tradition.

Gage and Blythe Sturman have been playing practically since they could stand, following in the footsteps of their mother, Suzanne Sturman, and their older brother, Wade Sturman, both of whom also competed at high levels in high school.

“We were barely walking, and we were holding a tennis racket that was bigger than us,” Gage told 29News.

Now, Gage and Blythe have done what they’ve been dreaming of for years. This year, the twins competed side by side in the state singles and took home both titles in straight sets. Gage and William Schundler also won the boys doubles’ title, while Blythe and Grace Zhang triumphed in the girls doubles championship.

It’s just the latest milestone in a lifelong journey on the court.

“We’re twins playing for the state title, on courts right next to each other,” Blythe said. “The energy’s super high… it’s awesome.”

Now rising seniors at Western Albemarle High School, the Sturman twins spend most of their time on the court and with each other.

“I train with her basically everywhere I go,” Gage said. “Every weekend, she asks me, ‘Do you wanna hit, do you wanna hit?’”

Ron Manilla is Head Coach of the Western Albemarle Boys Team, which has won nine straight state titles, with the twins’ older brother Wade and now Gage helping lead the way.

“He stepped in like crazy,” Manilla said about Gage. “I would never want to play that guy. Never. Because he’s so good. He’s so on.”

Work ethic, Manilla says, is what makes the Sturmans stand out.

“Blythe is out here so many times early in the morning before school,” Manilla said. “She’s so disciplined.”

Gage has only lost one high school match, and Blythe has lost zero, making her undefeated in three years of playing. You can find the twins training at Boars Head most mornings before school, then again after high school practice, with Blythe traveling the country to compete in USTA tournaments.

This, of course, on top of tough AP courses and preparation for college applications.

“Tennis can be kind of lonely sometimes, it’s just you on the court, so I think having that team atmosphere, balancing fun with hard work, it’s really great,” Blythe said. “It definitely was a grind, like every second, but I personally really enjoy that.”

While Blythe has won the state singles’ title three years in a row, this was the first time Gage was able to compete in the singles tournament, having previously watched his older brother play in that role instead.

“I’m just like sitting there watching, clapping, being like I want to be out there so frickin’ bad,” Gage said.

Being able to compete next to Blythe, Gage says, was a nice boost – in a lot of different ways.

“I can cheer her on a little bit, give her some claps,” Gage said. “It takes a little bit of pressure off, knowing I hit a bad shot, and I look over and she’s laughing at me or something.”

Now, with just one year left at Western Albemarle, the twins are preparing for the future. Blythe, who’s looking to play in college, says her biggest goal is for the Western Albemarle girls team to win a state title next year.

“I also just want to enjoy it,” Blythe said. “I feel like my time has gone by so fast in high school.”

It’s also a bittersweet moment for Manilla, who will be saying his goodbyes to the Sturman family as a whole, after coaching Gage and Wade for years.

“They’re a great family, they’re really supportive,” Manilla said. “The Sturman family is, again, a coach’s dream.”

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