Albany takes top spots in tourney
By Sam Waller
The Albany Lions tennis team battled both the elements and opponents Thursday, Feb. 17 at the Hawley Invitational, but won three draws.
Players had to contend with cold conditions at Abilene’s Rose Park Tennis Center.
“There was more confidence on the court,” coach M.J. Reneau said of the Lions’ second tournament outing. “It’s hard to compare because of the weather conditions. That apparently didn’t slow them down, because they got out there and got after it.”
Girls singles, girls doubles, and mixed doubles finals all pitted Albany entries against teammates in the finals.
Sarah Cotter defeated Sidney Russell in girls singles, Susie Cormack and Ella Webb topped Leddie Leech sand Robyn Trail in girls doubles, and Jaci Chapman and Cooper Fairchild won mixed doubles over Abi Hale and Jake Hale.
“Some of the players right now are having to play with partners they won’t play with at district,” Reneau said. “I’m really proud of them for adjusting and winning with people they’ve never played with before.”
Brayden Watson finished third in boys singles. In girls doubles, Brooklyn Abbate and Cambree Clegg finished fourth, while Chloe Daugherty and Maci Hatchett reached the consolation final. Albany did not have an entry in boys doubles.
The Lions play in the Abilene High Spring Showdown on Thursday, Feb. 24 (today), then will have three more events before spring break. The Lions will have a partial lineup for the Albany tournament on Wednesday, March 2, with the bulk of the team competing at the Brock team tournament March 4-5. That will be followed by the Clyde tournament on March 9.
Results from Hawley are as follows:
Girls Singles
Sarah Cotter defeated Barnett of Colorado City 6-3, 6-2; defeated Harper of Breckenridge in the quarterfinals 6-2, 6-3; defeated Hesseman of Clyde in the semifinals 7-5, 6-3; then defeated Sidney Russell of Albany 6-2, 6-4 in the finals for the championship.
Sidney Russell defeated Phillips of Hawley 6-2, 6-2; defeated Lopez of Colorado City 6-3, 6-3; defeated Rule of Hawley 6-4, 6-2 in the semifinals; then lost to Cotter in the finals.
Girls Doubles
Susie Cormack and Ella Webb defeated Lopez-McArthur of Rotan 6-3, 6-3; defeated Reneau-Cardenas of Hawley 6-2, 6-2; defeated Abbate-Clegg of Albany 6-2, 6-2 in the semifinals; then defeated Leech-Trail of Albany 6-4, 7-5 in the finals.
Leddie Leech and Robyn Trail defeated Wolf-Eisenback of Cisco 7-6, 7-6; defeated Andrew-Booker of Ballinger 6-2, 7-5; defeated Rangel-Hernandez of Colorado City 7-6, 7-6; lost to Cormack-Webb in the finals.
Brooklyn Abbate and Cambree Clegg defeated James-Neatherlin of Lueders-Avoca 6-2, 6-2; defeated Flores-House of Ballinger 6-2, 6-3; lost to Cormack-Webb of Albany in the semifinals; then lost to Rangel-Hernandez of Colorado City 7-6, 6-2 for third place.
Chloe Daugherty and Maci Hatchett lost to Rangel-Hernandez of Colorado City 6-1, 2-6, 10-5; defeated Rush-Nickell of CM 8-2; defeated Wolf-Eisenback of Cisco 8-1; then lost to Lopez-McArthur of Rotan 8-6 in consolation finals.
Boys Singles
Brayden Watson defeated Rangel of Colorado City6-2, 6-3; defeated Mendoza of Grape Creek 5-7, 6-3, 10-7; defeated Anaya of Cisco 6-2, 6-2; lost to Villafranco of Grape Creek 6-2, 6-2 in the semifinals 6-0, 6-1; then defeated Adame of Colorado City 6-4, 6-3 for third place.
Austin Sanchez lost to Scruggs of Throckmorton 7-5, 6-3; defeated Gonzalez of Cisco 8-3; then lost to McDuffe of Grape Creek 8-1.
Mixed Doubles
Jaci Chapman and Cooper Fairchild defeated Trujillo-Rodarte of Grape Creek 6-2, 6-2; defeated Dacus-Hanlon of Cisco 6-4, 6-3; defeated Baum-Estes of Jim Ned 6-2, 6-3 in the semifinals; then defeated Hale-Hale of Albany 7-5, 6-2 in the finals.
Abi Hale and Jake Hale defeated Iretta-Pittman of Cisco 6-4, 6-2; defeated Carr-Gonzales of Colorado City 6-4, 6-2; defeated Senne-Jarrett of Jim Ned 6-3, 6-2 in the semifinals; then lost to Chapman-Fairchild in the finals.
