The San Saba Tennis Team played in the Region V 2A & Under Regional Tournament in Leander on March 2-3. The tennis team came in second place which qualifies them for the State Team Tennis Tournament on March 9-10 in Round Rock, Leander area. This will be the 21st year and the 16th year in a roll that the tennis team has qualified for the state team tennis tournament. Playing on the varsity team this year are Lauren Dawson, Joannah Crosby, Joely Haverland, Heather Wilcox, Morgan Jimenez, Karlee Cromer, Josie Dawson, Kristen Isham, Marshal McIntosh, Josh Raiford, Houston Casco, Diego Lara, Aaron Krueger, Jairo Casco, Gunnar Hibler, and J.T. Holland. In the regional quarterfinals the Armadillos played Thrall at Leander High School. After the doubles round the Dillos led 7 to 0. The Dillos continued their winning ways by winning 11 of the 12 singles matches to defeat Thrall 18 to 1. In the semifinals San Saba took on a much improved team from Godley. I think this is the best team Godley has had in years. I told our kids it was very important that we came out of the doubles round ahead and that ended up being very true. We were down 3 to 2 and our number 1 and 2 boys doubles team both had lost the first set in their match. Our number 2 boys doubles team of Diego Lara and Aaron Krueger had lost the first set 5 – 7. They came back and won the second set 6 – 4, this set up a third set tie-breaker with Krueger and Lara coming out with the win 10 to 8. Our number 1 boys doubles team of Houston Casco and Josh Raiford had also lost the first set 3 – 6. It looked like Casco and Raiford were out when they fell behind 5 to 2, in the second set, but they were not to be denied as they kept fighting and even the second set at 6 – 6. In the tie-breaker they won 7 to 5. This set up a third set tie-breaker with Casco and Raiford coming out on top 13 to 11. These two matches were very important as that put us ahead 4 to 3 after the doubles round. Joannah Crosby and Marshal McIntosh had won their mixed doubles match as the girls number 1 team of Lauren Dawson and Joely Haverland won their doubles match. All our doubles matches could have gone either way , we showed a lot of heart and fight in those matches. After the first round of eight singles matches, Lauren Dawson, Joann-ah Crosby, Joely Haver-land, Marshal McIntosh, and Josh Raiford won their singles matches that put the Dillos up 9 to 6. The Armadillos needed to win only one of the remaining 4 matches to take the win over Godley. Godley put up a great fight as the next two matches to come off went Godley’s way as they pulled to within one 8 to 9. We had two remaining matches our number 5 girls singles (Karlee Cromer) and our number 5 boys singles (Aaron Kueger) still on the court. Karlee lost a tough first set in a tie-breaker 7 to 9 as Aaron was winning his first set 7 to 5. Karlee came back to win the second set in her match 6 to 3, but Aaron lost his second set 4 to 6. Both Karlee and Aaron went into a third set tie-breaker with the Dillos needing one of them to win. Both players showed a lot of fight and heart as players and fans from both teams were yelling and supporting their teammates. Aaron finished just minutes before Karlee did winning his tie-breaker 11 to 9. Karlee came out on the short end losing 6 to 10. The Dillos came out running on the courts to congratulate Aaron and Karlee for their efforts. With Aaron’s victory the Dillos defeated Godley 10 to 9. This was one of the most exciting matches I have seen in several years. Our kids showed a lot of heart and character as they never gave up. Aaron and Karlee especially showed a lot of heart as they knew it was up to one of them to win that last match. It is not easy to be out on the court alone with both teams yelling on every point. Karlee has only been playing tennis for eight weeks but she showed a lot of character as she battled for every point. Aaron a sophmore, showed a lot of character also as he became the hero as he won a very close match that could have gone either way. On Saturday morning the San Saba Tennis Team played Brock in the finals. Brock won the match 15 to 4. Brock has one of the best boys team in the state in 2A as they won all six singles and three doubles matches. Joannah Crosby and Marshal McIntosh won their mixed doubles match. Lauren Dawson, Joannah Crosby, and Karlee Cromer won their singles matches. I knew we were going to have to win all the girls matches and mixed doubles in order to defeat Brock as we have not won a match against their boys in two years. Our players fought hard but Brock had too much depth for us. Brock and San Saba will advance to State on March 8-9. The final rankings at the regional V tournament was: 1st place – Brock, 2nd place – San Saba, 3rd place – Godley, 4th place - Lago Vista, 5th place – Thrall, 6th place – Florence, 7th place – Early. San Saba will play in the state tournament on March 8-9. They will play two matches on Friday and two matches on Saturday. If you can come out the team needs your support on those two days. I will not know who we play or what court site until the coaches meeting on Thursday night. If you need to know where and when we play you can call my cell phone (325-372-8725) after 9:00 p.m. and I can get that information to you.aturday. If you can come out the team needs your support on those two days. I will not know who we play or what court site until the coaches meeting on Thursday night. If you need to know where and when we play you can call my cell phone (325-372-8725) after 9:00 p.m. and I can get that information to you.