Tennis team gets court action

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions tennis team got their season underway Thursday, Feb. 16, with a four-team round-robin at Abilene’s Rose Park Tennis Center.

Albany returned to Rose Park Thursday, Feb. 23 (today) for the Hawley Invitational.

Coach M.J. Reneau said last week’s event against opponents from Abilene Christian, Clyde, and San Angelo was a good way to start despite not having her full lineup. Luke Marshall, a state qualifier in boys singles last year, and Ella Webb, a regional doubles qualifier, did not compete.

Individual match scores were not available, but the mixed doubles pair of Abi and Jake Hale went 3-0 for the day.

In addition to the Hales, Robyn Trail and Woods Peterson paired in mixed doubles. Girls doubles teams were Chloe Daughtery-Brooklyn Abbate and Caroline Chapman-Mimi Ivy. Cade and Calhan Fairchild were the only boys doubles entry.

In singles, returning state qualifier Sidney Russell and Jaci Chapman, a regional qualifier in mixed doubles last year, were the girls entries, with Cason Fairchild and Kolt Koemel playing boys singles.

“Everyone got three matches,” Reneau said. “We’re still missing some from basketball.”

The Hawley Invitational was Albany’s first event with bracket play.