Future bright for Albany’s young tennis team
By Melinda L. Lucas
The Albany High School tennis team made an impressive showing at the Region 2-2A tennis tournament held April 26-27 in North Richland Hills, with junior Sarah Cotter making her first trip to the state meet in girls singles.
Albany’s other girls singles competitor, freshman Sidney Russell, finished fourth in the region, and the girls double duo of Susie Cormack and Ella Webb fought their way through the tournament to earn third place medals.
Cormack, a junior, and Webb, a sophomore, are alternates to the state tournament, which will be played May 20-21 at the Blossom Tennis Center in San Antonio.
State Details
Cotter’s first game is at 10:30 a.m. May 20, with a win putting her on the court again that afternoon at 3:30 p.m.
Local tennis coach Sara Wilson is optimistic about Cotter’s chances.
“Sarah completed her regional run undefeated, not even losing a set,” said Wilson. “In fact, her overall season record is 15-0.”
The coach added that Cotter is looking forward to competition at the state level.
“The state meet experience is going to be a great opportunity for her,” said Wilson.
Regional Comments
Nine local players competed at the regional level after sweeping the championship titles at district, including Cotter and Russell in girls singles, Brayden Watson in boys singles, Webb and Cormack in girls doubles, Cooper Fairchild and Luke Ivy in boys doubles, and Jacey Chapman and Mikey Hernandez in mixed doubles.
Hernandez and Chapman complement each other very well in mixed doubles, and should do very well in the future, according to the coach.
“Susie and Ella made it to the championship, losing a hard-fought bout,” said Wilson.
They ended up losing a playback against Hawley, the team they had beaten for the district title.
“It was a marathon of a match,” said Wilson. “They played so hard, but the shots just didn’t fall for us.”
The coach was equally complimentary about freshman Sidney Russell, who came up short in a long semifinal match before losing a battle for third.
“Sidney is a very talented young player,” said Wilson. “Fourth at region is a great showing for a freshman.”
The coach noted that she expects “great things from freshman Brayden Walson in boys singles.
“Brayden likes to wear his opponents out, but he always shows the very best sportsmanship,” she said.
Luke Ivy and Cooper Fairchild strolled through the first match but were eliminated in the second round.
“Luke and Cooper are extremely athletic and are exciting to watch,” said the coach. “I feel if the matches had switched, they could have beaten the number two seed.”
Wilson is excited about the potential of the Albany team.
“Without any doubt, Albany tennis has a tremendous future,” said the coach. “There are no seniors, and all these talented athletes will return with the potential to make it to state.”
Regional results follow:
Girls Singles
Sarah Cotter defeated Brewer of Hico 6-2, 6-0; defeated Brown of Linden 6-2, 6-0; defeated Haynes of Quanah 7-5, 6-0; defeated Kelly of Quanah 6-0, 6-1 for the championship.
Sidney Russell defeated Welll of Linden 6-0, 6-1; defeated Sliger of Hamilton 6-4, 6-1; lost to Kelly of Quanah 2-6, 6-4, 6-7 (9-7); lost to Haynes of Quanah 6-2, 6-1 for fourth place.
Boys Singles
Brayden Watson lost to Schubert of McLeod 6-4, 7-6 (7-4).
Mixed Doubles
Mikey Hernandez and Jaci Chapman defeated Wolf/Fuhrmann of Lindsay 6-3, 6-2; lost to Tisdale/Sheets of Wolf City 6-1, 6-1.
Girls Doubles
Susie Cormack and Ella Webb defeated Olvera/Morgan of Hamilton 6-4, 6-2; defeated Fleitman/Fleitman of Lindsay 6-2, 6-4; defeated Cockrell/Cockrell of Ivanhoe 6-3, 6-4; lost to Booth/Hensley of Poolville 6-2, 6-3 in the championship; lost to Newton/Parrott of Hawley 6-2, 6 (7-5), 6 (7-4) for third place.
Boys Doubles
Luke Ivy and Cooper Fairchild defeated Stroud/Patrick of Honey Grove 6-1, 6-3; lost to Bynum/Palmer of Linden 6-2, 6-3.
