Tough 6A/5A tournament with 12 schools from the area including Hays HS, Canyon HS, Smithson Valley, San Marcos, Eagle Pass Winn, Smithville, LaVernia, and Navarro. Most all players won their first match against some top-notch players. Extreme windy/wintery conditions made it very difficult for all the players to perform.
Both Warhorse Boys Singles players Caeden Alvarez and Jake Harrell played well throughout, playing smart tennis and never giving up. Harrell advanced after beating the #2 boy from Smithson Valley. He then played the #2 seed of the draw. After a long grueling battle, Harrell lost to the Canyon HS player in a tie-breaker for the match. Caeden defeated a tough opponent from Hays HS. He split sets and then won the tie- breaker. Alvarez then played a boy from San Marcos HS. Once again, he split sets but was unable to win this tie-breaker. Both young men played with a lot of grit and heart, representing Devine well.
Arabian Karma Herring played three very tough matches. Herring lost her first match to a salty Navarro opponent, which put her in the Consolation Bracket. Herring then beat a young lady from Hays HS. She did a great job placing the ball and moving her opponent around on the court. Her next opponent was from Eagle Pass Winn. Herring played her with a lot of intensity and grit, but EPW was just too quick and a little more experienced the Karma. Great job on the day, Karma!
Arabian Doubles Malvin Flores & Laurel Spannagel had another tough draw this tournament. They won their first match to advance to next level against a salty Eagle Pass Winn. Flores/Spannagel got off to a slow start losing their first set, but made a great come back almost winning the second set. However, EPW came out on top. These two girls had moments of greatness; they just need to be more consistant to be able to beat the top teams. Arabian Freshmen Victoria Nunez & Jordan Erxleben played doubles as well. They lost their first match in a tough tie breaker to Hay HS. They then won the next match of the Consoloation bracket, but came up short in their third match. Looking forward to great things from these two freshmen. Madi Mohr & JoJo Villanueva also played doubles. They played hard and won their first match. Then they lost to a team from Eagle Pass Winn. Mohr/Villanueva had moments of greatness as well, but we need to be able to win the big points to win the match.
Mixed Doubles team of Aidan Hildenbrand & Cameron English played very well, making it to the semi finals of their bracket. This duo won their first match in a very tough tie-breaker. Then they beat a La Vernia team putting them into the semi-finals. Smithson Valley’s #1 team were incredibly talented. Even though Devine fought hard, they fell to the Tournament Champion for the day. Corwin Flores & Amy Bailey also played Mixed Doubles. This duo lost their first two matches. Once again, this tournament was packed with very skilled, experienced players. Flores/Bailey tried their best, but just couldn’t make the crucial points needed to win the matches.
Overall, this tournament was a learning experience. We got some ideas on what we need to work on to improve and be ready for district. Tennis is a very mental sport with many different skills to learn and perfect. We need to be able to win the crucial match points, and the super tie-breakers, which in most cases comes down to the most mentally tough and/or smartest players. Some experts consider tennis to be like “Chess” in the world of sports. Players have to think ahead, set up their opponents and be able to follow through with the plan. I am very proud of these tennis athletes for their commitment and work ethic at every practice. These kids love the sport and play hard every tournament!
Up next for the Warhorses and Arabians Tennis team is the Uvalde Small but Mighty tournament this weekend and the Uvalde varsity Open February 21-22.
Courtesy Coach Melanie Sostarich
Smithson Valley tennis tournament results
