AHS tennis teams serve up strong start

Albany entries won four of five draws Thursday, Feb. 22 at the Hawley Invitational in the first tournament of the tennis season, played atAbilene’s Rose Park Tennis Center.

Thetennisteamreturns to action Thursday, Feb. 29 at the Abilene Christian tournament, also at Rose Park.

In the opening tourney, Sidney Russell won girls singles, while Jaci Chapman and Robyn Trail teamed up to win girls doubles. The other titles were claimed by sibling pairs with Cason and Cade Fairchild winning boys doubles and Abi and Jake Haletakingmixeddoubles.

The mixed doubles pair of Charlee Hefner and Casey Estridge placed fourth.

“It’s hard to do much better,” Albany coach M.J. Reneau said. “Definitely a great way to start out our season. There were several who weren’t there – we’re still missing Luke Marshall, Jaxson Street, Mimi Ivy, and Caroline Chapman.”

In addition to those who placed, Christian Hernandez and Woods Peterson won two rounds in boys doubles before withdrawing from the quarterfinals. Hattie Braly competed in girls singles, and Braeten Street played boys singles.

Albany will have about half its lineup available this week.

“We’ve got baseball, softball, FCCLA, and One-Act all going on,” she said.

Girls Singles

Sidney Russell defeated Comanche 6-2, 6-2; defeated Eastland 6-2, 6-2; defeated Comanche 6-2, 6-2; defeated Colorado City 4-6, 6-2, 10-2 in the final.

Hattie Braly lost to Stamford 3-6, 3-6; defeated Hawley 6-2; lost to Comanche 2-6.

Girls Doubles

Jaci Chapman and Robyn Trail defeated Coleman 6-2, 6-3; defeated Hawley 6-2, 6-2; defeated Hawley 6-2, 6-3; defeated Hawley 6-3, 6-2.

Boys Singles

Braeten Street lost to Comanche 4-6, 3-6; defeated Hawley 6-2; defeated Comanche 6-2; lost to Woodson 2-6.

Boys Doubles

Cason Fairchild and Cade Fairchild defeated Woodson 6-2,6-3; defeated Bangs 6-2, 6-2; defeated Ballinger 6-2, 6-2; defeated Bangs 6-2, 6-3 in the final.

Christian Hernandez and Woods Peterson defeated Bangs 6-2,6-3; defeated Hawley 6-4, 6-2; withdrew.

Mixed Doubles

Abi Hale and Jake Hale defeated Comanche 6-3, 6-3; defeated Stamford 6-2, 6-2; defeated Hawley 6-4, 6-4; defeated Hawley 4-6, 6-2, 10-6 in the final.

Charlee Hefner and Casey Estridge defeated Hawley 6-4, 3-6, 10-7; defeated Bangs 6-3, 6-2; lost to Hawley 2-6, 2-6 in the semifinals; lost to Hawley 2-6, 7-6 for third place.