The San Saba Tennis Team played in the Region V 2A & Under Team Tennis Tournament on March 1-2, in Leander. In the Quarterfinals San Saba defeated Early 16 to 3. In the semifinal match the Armadillos defeated Thrall 15 to 4. In the finals San Saba took on a strong Godley team and came up on the short end losing 10 to 7. We knew coming into the match it would be a close contest, since we defeated them 10 to 9 last year in the semifinals. I felt like we had a chance of winning but lost 3 close matches that could have gone either way. We had to turn around and play Lago Vista in a playback match to determine who would go to the state tournament as the second place team in the region. Lago Vista lost to Godley in the semifinals 10 to 9, so we knew this was going to be a tough match. After the doubles matches we were down 4 to 3. We lost 5 of the first 8 matches in singles to go down 9 to 6. Lago Vista was one match away from defeating the Armadillos. What happened next was one of the most exciting matches I have ever been involved in. We needed to win all of the last 4 matches. Joannah Crosby came off first and won 6 – 3, 7 -6 . William Cooley won the next match 6 – 4, 6- 0 and then Karlee Cromer came off with a 6 – 4 , 6 – 3 win to make the score 9 to 9. Josie Dawson was playing in the last match of the tournament. Josie won her first set 6 – 3. In the second set it was a dog fight as both players were playing very well. Lago Vista ended up winning the second set 6 – 4. This put Josie and her opponent in a third set tiebreaker playing thefirst one who wins 10 points first wins and they had to be ahead by 2 points. The state tournament was on the line for both teams. Josie took a 7 to 2 lead, but then the Lago Vista girl came back winning the next 6 points to go up 8 to 7. Josie fought back to win the next two points to go up 9 to 8. What took place next is something I have never seen before and if you want to know what happened you have to see me for the explanation because it is hard for me to put down in writing. It had appeared Josie had won the match on the next point, but after discussion between the two coaches the point was replayed. Josie lost the next point to make the score 9 – 9. Josie showing great poise and determination won the next two point to win the match 11 to 9. The Armadillos defeated Lago Vista 10 to 9 to earn their 17th straight trip to the state team tennis tournament and 21 altogether. I am so proud of all these players as they never gave up and fought hard to come back and win the match. Playing for San Saba were Joannah Crosby, Joely Haverland, Kristen Isham, Morgan Jimenez, Josie Dawson, Karlee Cromer, Mikayla Eden, Marissa Anaya, Micah Cox, Alex Baker, Gunnar Hibler, Aaron Krueger, J.T. Holland, Will Cooley, Kolton Haverland, Drew Daniel, Reigan Casco and Omar Argote. The Armadillos will play in the State Tournament on March 8 – 9, in the Round Rock – Leander area. There will be 16 teams at the state team tennis tournament. On Friday we will play two matches at 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. On Saturday we will play two more matches at 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. We will not know who we will play first or what court site until Thursday night at the coaches meeting. If you want to know where we are playing you can call Coach Cox at 325-372-8725 anytime after 9:00 p.m. on Thursday or anytime on Friday or Saturday. We hope you all can come out and support the tennis team.

On March 12 – 13 San Saba will host a four team tournament involving San Saba, Mason, Brady and Lago Vista. This will be an individual tournament to help get our players ready for the district individual tournament on March 21 and 28 in Stephenville. We will also have an Alumni match on March 16.

Match results against Lago Vista are as follows:

Girls Doubles

1. Crosby / Haverland lost to Mumford / Wheeler 3 – 6, 6 – 4, 11 – 13

2. Dawson / Jimenez defeated Pobleanis / Dunham 6 – 3, 0 – 6, 10 – 2

3. Cromer / Isham lost to Hassin / Lash 3 – 6, 6 – 7

Boys Doubles

1. Baker / Hibler defeated Zozaya / Gutierez 4 – 6 , 6 – 4 , 10 – 6

2. Haverland / Holland lost to Dunham / Hood 2 – 6, 5 – 7

3. Cooley / Krueger defeated Pedigo / Weaver 6 – 3, 6 – 2

Mixed Doubles

1. Eden / Daniel lost to Colhoun / Tappia 6 – 3, 0 – 6 , 8 Girls Singles

1. Joannah Crosby defeated Liana Pobleanis 6 – 3, 7 – 6

2. Joely Haverland lost to K. Mumford 5 – 7 , 6 – 4 , 6 – 10

3. Kristen Isham lost o E. Wheeler 1 – 6, 1 – 6

4. Morgan Jimenez lost to B. Hassin 1 – 6 , 0 – 6

5. Josie Dawson defeated M. Lash 6 – 3, 4 – 6, 11 – 9

6. Karlee Cromer defeated P. Dunham 6 – 4, 6 – 3

Boys Singles

1. Alex Baker lost to Trey Zozoya 0 – 6 , 6 – 2, 7 – 10

2. Gunnar Hibler defeated M. Gutierez 6 – 2, 7 – 5

3. Aaron Krueger lost to D. Dunham 0 – 6 , 3 – 6

4. J.T. Holland defeated T. Weaver 6 – 1, 6 – 2

5. Will Cooley defeated I. Pedigo 6 – 4, 6 – 0

6. Kolton Haverland defeated B. Hood 6 – 3 , 6 – 2