Marble Falls tennis loses to Little River Academy

CAPTION: Cooper Kelley hits this forehand for a winner. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro

The Marble Falls High School team tennis squad lost to Little River Academy 1-18 Sept. 11 in a battle of undefeated District 25-4A teams.

“We saw somebody that moved their feet and attacked the net and took winning shots,” Marble Falls head coach Samuel Whitley said. “We played well. They played better.”

Marble Falls’ (4-1) lone win was at No. 1 boys doubles where Cooper Womack and Cooper Kelley prevailed 6-2, 6-7 (4-7), 12-10.

Whitley pointed out many of the boys singles and doubles matches needed three sets to decide the winer.

That happened at No. 2 boys doubles with the team of Payton Glaser and Nicolas Smith, No. 2 singles with Kelley, No. 4 singles with Smith, and No. 5 singles with Glenn Banton.

And though it needed two sets to decide, Glaser’s outcome at No. 3 singles was close at 5-7 and 5-7.

The mixed doubles team of Logan Hargraves and Savannah Hamblin lost 5-7, 3-6.

“There were a lot of close matches,” Whitley said. “We played well. The things we saw the kids doing or trying to do are things we’ve been teaching. When someone is better than you, they’re better than you. But you still want to go into the playoffs the highest you can be.”

Three district matchups remain beginning with Lago Vista (1-4) coming to the Charlie and Nancy Herrington Tennis Center at 4:15 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18.

Though Marble Falls is scheduled to travel to play at Liberty Hill Legacy Ranch (0-5), the Wranglers have forfeited throughout the season.

Burnet (2-3) will come to Marble Falls Thursday, Sept. 30, for the final district matchup. The playoffs begin Oct. 7.

“All we’re concerned about is the next ball – that’s it,” Whitley said. “We’re not thinking down the road. Let’s focus on the next three matches.”

While the outcome against Academy wasn’t what Marble Falls wanted, the coach said his players gave it all they had.

“It wasn’t like we didn’t have a chance,” he said. “They just played better. Most of their kids have a lot more experience. I’m disappointed in the loss. I’m not disappointed in the effort.”

CAPTION: Savannah Hamblin earns the point thanks to this volley. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro

RESULTS

BOYS

Singles

Womack retired to Fossett; Kelley lost to Hammonds 6-2, 5-7, 2-10; Glaser lost to Moran 5-7, 5-7, N. Smith lost to Hoffman 6-4, 4-6, 5-10; Banton lost to Schreier 3-6, 6-2, 7-10; J. Smith lost to Haas 2-6, 3-6

Doubles

Womack and Kelley def. Hoffman and Fossett 6-2, 6-7, 12-10; Glaser and N. Smith lost to Schreier and Hammonds 7-6, 7-6; S. Smith and Banton lost to Hass and Boatwright 3-6, 3-6

GIRLS

Singles

Nelson lost to Andrews 0-6, 1-6; Trudeau lost to Garmon 4-6, 0-6; Taylor lost to King 3-6, 1-6; Brown lost to Goode 1-6, 3-6; Hernandez lost to Golovin 1-6, 1-6; Morales lost to Hutchinson 2-6, 2-6

Doubles

Nelson and Trudeau lost to Garmon and Andrews 2-6, 1-6; Brown and Morales lost to King and Goode 4-6, 2-6; Cook and Osloond def. Golovin and Hutchinson 1-6, 0-6

MIXED DOUBLES

Hargraves and Hamblin lost to Moran and Wallar 5-7, 3-6