Roommates and Teammates: Scribner and Reyes Headed to 2026 State Tennis Tourney

For Missouri Military Academy cadets Henry Scribner ’27 and Ruben Emilio Reyes ’26, success on the tennis court comes from more than skill.

It comes from the bond and energy they have built as teammates, roommates, and friends. That partnership has now earned the Missouri Military Academy doubles team a spot in the 2026 Missouri State High School Activities Association Boys Tennis State Tournament. Scribner and Reyes will compete in their first match of the state tournament in Springfield, Missouri, on May 15, 2026, at the Cooper Tennis Complex.

The pair qualified for state after finishing first at the Class 2 District 4 Individual Tournament in Wentzville. This marks their second year competing together as a doubles team.

Cadet Scribner, from Dallas, Texas, has been at MMA for five years and has played tennis for seven years. Cadet Reyes, from Mexico City, Mexico, has been at MMA for two years and has played tennis for eight years. This is the first year they have roomed together.

“We have really good communication,” Cadet Reyes said about the extra connection found as boarding school roommates and teammates.

“Being roommates separates us from our competition because we study together, we spend more time together than other doubles teams,” Cadet Scribner said.

Cadet Reyes said that playing tennis at MMA is different than playing tennis anywhere else, and Scribner agreed. At MMA, additional practice time and the boarding school environment help them prepare for top-level competition.

“I like practicing here because it is secluded, it’s very private, and Reyes and I can get one-on-one coaching,” Cadet Scribner said.

Their success this season, including their 17-2 record, has also drawn praise from their coach.

“We’re really excited to get back to state,” said Coach Brad Smith, MMA’s head tennis coach, who last took Colonels tennis players to state in 2023.

Scribner and Reyes’ doubles team earned the sixth seed in the tournament out of 16 teams and received a good draw. Smith said, “We’re looking to hopefully get a medal position this year.”

Smith credited the cadets’ teamwork and energy for their strong performance.

“They are both very high-energy players, and they feed off of one another,” Smith said. “They encourage each other to do their best after each point.”

Smith said you can often see the cadets high-fiving and supporting each other during matches.

“What’s kept the energy up to win all of their matches has been their constant teamwork and communication,” Smith said.

Scribner said the structure and everyday routine at MMA give them an advantage and help prepare them to face pressure and challenges on the court.

At the state tournament, the pair plan to continue their approach from throughout the season. They intend to go in with confidence and play to their strengths as they compete in Springfield.

“They set a goal at the beginning of the year that they wanted to make it to state together, and they did,” Smith said.