Colby Coach Reeves Leans on Tennis Community Through Cancer Journey

“That night I called Anik (Cepeda), who is one of my best friends and the head women’s tennis coach at Williams College. She came right over and was a great support for me. Even though we are competitors, I knew I had a friend who would be there for me,” said Reeves.

“I was in shock and devastated for her. It took me a few minutes to process what she was saying and wrap my brain around what it meant for her,” remembers Cepeda. 

After telling her family and close friends, Reeves held a team meeting to let her athletes know. 

“I said, I don’t know what these next months and year will look like but I will keep you all updated.”

The team was heading into the offseason and she began treatment. Cepeda brought Reeves to and from her surgery and she was set to begin chemotherapy and then radiation at the MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta.

This is when the larger tennis community showed up for Reeves in a big way. Her administration at Colby, the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) and surrounding DIII schools all came together to support her.

Despite the grueling treatments and losing her hair, Reeves pressed on and never missed coaching the team. She recalls that the team gave her something to focus on throughout the treatments. For away matches, Colby provided an admin to travel with the team and always made her feel that if she could coach, great, and if not, that was okay too. They had her back. 

“Erin is one of those people that elevates you. Her diagnosis taught me that we have to bring joy and purpose into every day as much as possible. We have to make the most of the people we have and invest in them with our full attention. Erin does this really well. She is pure goodness and love,” said Anik.

In August of this year, 10 months after her initial diagnosis, Reeves completed her final treatments. Although she will be on medication for the next 10 years for preventative measures, she is cancer-free. 

“If this crappy thing is going to happen, let’s turn it into a positive. If me telling my story can help one person go to the doctor and save their life, it’s worth it,” said Reeves. 

The journey has taught her more empathy and to simply appreciate life.