State qualifiers to play April 26-27

By Sam Waller

Three members of the Albany tennis program will take their shots at claiming a state championship next week at the Class 2A state tournament.

Girls singles players Sarah Cotter and Sidney Russell and boys singles player Luke Marshall take the court Tuesday-Wednesday, April 26-27 at Blossom Tennis Center in San Antonio. Quarterfinals and semifinals will be played Tuesday with championship matches on Wednesday.

“We’re really excited going into state,” coach M.J. Reneau said. “I think all three of them have a really good shot. They’ve all put in a lot of work, and they’re trying to get as prepared as they can for the state tournament.

Cotter, a senior, was last year’s state runnerup. Russell and Marshall, both sophomores, are making their state debuts.

“They all have a good background,” Reneau said. “They know what it’s going to take, both the physical part and the mental part.”

Cotter and Marshall won the singles titles at the Region II-2A tournament earlier this month. Russell finished second to Cotter at both district and regional.

Albany has never won a state title in tennis, according to UIL archives.

Cotter and Marshall have had successful springs despite competing in other sports. Cotter qualified for the regional track meet in the high jump and as a member of Albany’s 800 meter relay. Marshall qualified for regional in track in the pole vault and in golf as a member of the AHS boys team.