Marble Falls tennis’ Womack ends season at state tourney
CAPTION: Marble Falls sophomore Cooper Womack returns a shot for a winner during the boys singles draw of the Class 4A state tournament May 16. Photo by Wayne Craig/Clear Memories
Marble Falls High School sophomore tennis player Cooper Womack lost to Boerne High’s Owen Labay 6-2, 4-6, 1-6 in the boys singles of draw Class 4A regional quarterfinals May 16.
“This is a learning curve for Cooper,” head coach Samuel Whitley said. “It’s his first time getting to state. It’s a big venue, a big stage. A lot of distractions can happen. We have to learn to block out the distractions.”
The state tournament was single elimination. But the two stayed and watched the boys singles matches in Classes 5A and 6A.
“It solidified some of the things we talked about,” the coach said. “Cooper already has a plan of attack to be back next year.”
It’s two important tasks, he added.
“He has to have a harder first serve. That’s something he’s going to work on,” the coach said. “And you have to keep the opponent deep. It’s difficult because of the quality of the players at the state tournament. At district and regionals, you can hit a deep shot that’s going to be a winner for you. All the players at state can it, too.”
That’s why being able to strategize and being patient are two keys to success at the state tournament, Whitley added.
“You wait for a weak hit by them that gets you to the net,” he said.
Womack began working on that plan immediately upon returning to south Burnet County. By 5 p.m. May 17, he was at the Charlie and Nancy Herrington Tennis Center hitting with a friend.
“He’s keyed on what he needs to do to get better,” Whitley said.
Womack won 40 of his last 48 matches and went 3-1 in the playoffs. He repeated as the District 24-4A boys singles champion and won the Class 4A Region III championship. Not bad for the underclassmen.
“He’s a remarkable kid,” Whitley said. “(Athletic coordinator for sports medicine and middle school athletics) Doc Harrington made a statement two months ago that resonated to me. It starts with DNA.”
Whitley said Womack’s family plays a huge part in his success. Not only is the sophomore smart and athletic, his family also attends his matches and cheers him on, the coach said.
“They have been very supportive of me and allowing me to coach him,” he said. “When you have a family like that, you should win.”
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