AHS tennis team looking for titles

By Sam Waller

Last year’s state tennis tournament was a history-making event for Albany as Sarah Cotter claimed the first state tennis championship in school history.

Coach M.J. Reneau is looking for even bigger things when the 2023 tournament gets underway on Tuesday, April 25 at Blossom Tennis Center in San Antonio

“We took three players last year, and this year we’re excited that we could double that,” Reneau said.

Albany will have Luke Marshall in boys singles and Cason Fairchild and London Fuentes in boys doubles. Sidney Russell will compete in girls singles, with Jaci Chapman and Ella Webb in girls doubles.

Both Marshall and Russell are returning to state after qualifying last year.

“Experience goes a long way at state, ” Reneau said. “Sidney and Luke are both upperclassmen now and know what to expect. We’re looking forward to a successful tournament.”

Reneau said that having three entries coming off winning regional titles bodes well.

“The boys doubles, girls doubles, and boys singles were all first-place finishers, and we had a second place with Sidney, who’s been to state before,” Reneau said. “We feel like we’re going in on top.”

Marshall will open play against Shane Pugh of Sterling City. Fairchild and Fuentes drew Mason’s Robert Aguero and Jack Gillespie. Russell will face Carolina Williams of Port Aransas. Chapman and Webb will take on Mariana DelaFuente and Montse DelaFuente of Sonora.

Rather than seeding, at state, regional champions are paired against regional runners-up with entries from the same region placed on opposite sides of the bracket.