Mixed doubles pairs headed to state in San Antonio
By Melinda L. Lucas
Albany High School will be represented by two mixed doubles teams at the UIL State Tennis Tournament – an achievement that reflects a standout season for the program.
The state tournament will take place May 15-16 at Blossom Tennis Center in San Antonio, with Albany’s teams preparing for a send-off scheduled for 10:45 a.m. Wednesday.
Regional champions Mimi Ivy and Cade Fairchild headline the Albany contingent after a dominant performance at the regional tournament in North Richland Hills on May 9-10.
Joining them at state are Abi Hale and Jake Hale, who secured third place in the regional bracket, and who have state experience from their appearance there last spring.
“I can’t say enough about how well these four athletes have done this whole season,” said tennis coach M.J. Reneau. “Taking two of the three spots to state – that’s pretty phenomenal.”
This is the first year the UIL will take the top three teams from each region to state, expanding the tournament to 16 total teams in each division.
Most regional champions, including Ivy and Fairchild, will receive a first-round bye.
New for 2025, the UIL is using a system based on district and regional performance to seed the state tennis tournament. District winners are typically the top seeds. The UIL staff then conducts a draw to determine pairings, with regional champions often receiving a bye in the first round. The first seed will play from the top half of the draw, while the second seed will play from the bottom half.
The Hales are scheduled to face Sawyer Moore and Teely Salazar of Martin’s Mill in the opening round.
“I’ve looked at the draw, and although anything can happen at state, I think we will play our best,” Reneau said. “We’re excited about the opportunity and proud of what these players have accomplished.”
Reneau also praised the performance of younger team members at regionals, noting strong showings by freshmen and sophomores. “That says a lot for the future of the program,” she said.
On day one of the regional tournament, standout first-round results included a win by freshman Aiden Vickers over Petrolia (6-1, 6-0), and a victory for sophomores Hattie Braly and Charlee Hefner over Meridian (7-6 [7-1], 6-4).
The Hale siblings defeated Archer City 6-2, 6-0 and followed it with a second-round win over Hamilton (6-1, 6-2).
Fairchild and Ivy earned a first-round bye and then advanced with wins over Slidell (6-2, 6-2), Pewitt (6-2, 6-2), and Crawford (7-5, 6-1) to claim the regional title.
Meanwhile, the Hales fought their way into the third-place spot, edging Pewitt in a tight match 7-6 (7-5), 6-4.
Reneau acknowledged the effort of the boys’ doubles team, juniors Woods Peterson and Jaxson Street, who were eliminated in the first round but battled through illness and Peterson’s nagging injury.
“They worked hard to advance to regionals and put up a good fight,” she said.
Following Wednesday’s send-off, the teams will travel to San Antonio, check in at the tournament site, and get in some light practice ahead of Thursday’s matches.
