Marble Falls boys tennis wins district championship

CAPTION: Cooper Womack wins his third consecutive District 24-4A title in boys singles. Courtesy photo

The Marble Falls High School boys tennis team is the District 24-4A champion thanks to earning 25 points. Lampasas was second with 19 points.

The district tournament was April 22 and 24 in Taylor.

“It’s based on wins,” head coach Samuel Whitley said.

Suffice to say no boys squad experienced winning more than the Mustangs.

They were paced by junior boys singles player Cooper Womack, who won his third consecutive district championship. He dropped only one game in his three-peat and won the championship match in about an hour. He won three district matches.

“He has committed and dedicated himself to being the very best player he can be,” Whitley said. “He plays his best when district shows up.”

The boys doubles team of Cooper Kelley and Weston York captured gold after beating teammates Nicolas Smith and Payton Glaser in the final 6-2, 6-4.

“That second set got very competitive,” the coach said. “They played each other hard. Cooper and Weston have been playing year around. They won all three of their matches. We knew they were going to be a good pair-up. “

Glaser and Smith partnered for the first time this year by assistant coach Mark Redman.

“Coach Redman really felt good about pairing these players together,” Whitley said. “He’s done a great job working with the doubles program. (Glaser and Smith) complement each other very well with their styles of play. They have continued getting better. That’s been a great match.”

All are headed to the Class 4A Region III tournament, which is May 7-8 at Rudder High School, 3251 Austins Colony Parkway in Bryan. But they will have another duo at regionals with them.

CAPTION: The boys doubles teams of Weston York (left) and Cooper Kelley wear their gold medals and Nicolas Smith and Payton Glaser wear their silver medals signifying their finishes at the District 24-4A tournament. Courtesy photo

Joining the Mustangs at regionals is the girls doubles team of Mia Hernandez and Sophia Trudeau. The duo took silver after earning a 2-1 district record. Whitley said how they conducted themselves in their semifinal match illustrates what he and Redman have been emphasizing to their players.

“The second round was a very challenging match,” he said. “They lost the first set to Lampasas 0-6. They took the match 6-4, 6-4. As they walked off the court, Mia had tears in her eyes.”

Hernandez said that after the first set, she thought they couldn’t win.

“That’s why you continue to play the match – the next point and the next ball,” Whitley told her. “It was a good moment for them two and for the team. Don’t give up, don’t get frustrated. Just keep playing.”

Whitley was proud of his players, noting they are involved in other student life activities including UIL academic competitions as well as the one-act play.

He commended them for taking care of business in the classroom, on the court and in other parts of their busy lives and believes that dedication is why they are successful.

Whitley also praised Redman for his contributions in coaching the doubles teams.

“We work well together,” he said. “We’re all about trying to develop the kids to be the best they can be. As a program as a whole, we’re getting people. And it’s several people winning matches.”

CAPTION: The girls doubles team of Mia Hernandez (left) and Sophia Trudeau with their silver medals from the District 24-4A tournament. Courtesy photo