Tennis ends district run at semifinals
After losing to Hendrickson in final non-district match, Raiders beat Hawks in first round
Senior Styliana Espinoza and sophomore Sam Wilhite celebrate a point in their Pflugerville match. The mixed doubles team clichéd a pivotal match in the first round to help the Raiders beat Hendrickson 10-4 and move on to face Pflugerville in the district semifinals.
October 8, 2015
Varsity tennis advanced to the semifinals of the district tournament, Oct. 6.
“I was worried we wouldn’t be able to make it this year,” junior Sara Basinger said. “But in the end, I felt confident in my teammates.”
The team traveled to Hendrickson for the first round match, Oct. 5. The mixed doubles team of sophomore Sam Wilhite and senior Styliani Espinosa won a crucial game against the Hawks in a super tie breaker 10-3.
“It felt good to take our revenge,” Wilhite said. “Coach [Bassett] knew what he was doing when he assigned me with Espinosa for doubles.”
The team won the match 10-4, with Basinger clinching the final match. The junior won in straight sets, 6-0, 6-4.
“Well, I was playing my hardest whatever the outcome,” Basinger said.
The first round win was rewarding for the team because they lost a close match to Hendrickson 10-9 at home less than two weeks ago, Friday Sept. 25.
“It felt so good,” Espinosa said. “They were even on our own court a few weeks ago. It felt pretty good to win.”
With the win, the team moved on to the semifinals at Pflugerville. They lost to the Panthers 10-4, ending their district tournament run.
“It didn’t feel too bad,” Espinosa said. “We were never disappointed. We were sad we had to leave early, but the team will meet with them next year.”
The team wraps up their fall season with an upcoming tournament at Fredericksburg, Nov. 3.
Brooke McKinnon returns the ball during the Hendrickson match. The Raiders won the district match 10-4 to advance to the semifinals.
