The varsity tennis team made history this year, advancing to the regional tournament for the first time.

“It was awesome. I was so happy for the kids,” varsity tennis coach Michael Hjort said. “They have worked their tails off for the last four-plus years. The seniors have really worked hard.”

The road to area began with the Raiders beating Vista Ridge 10-2 and Cedar Park 10-7 to face Vandegrift in the district championship. They lost the match 10-1 to take second in district and qualify for area.

“I am proud to be part of such a hard working team because all the hard work paid off,” sophomore Katie Murrell said.

At the area tournament Oct. 18, the Raiders defeated Crockett 10-0 during the Homecoming pep rally and then traveled to LBJ for the semifinals. They beat the No. 1 Austin seed 10-3 to face Vandegrift in the area final. They lost 10-2, but the second place finish guaranteed a spot at regionals.

“It’s an honor to be part of the first tennis team at Rouse to go to regionals,” junior Adrian Montes says. “We are a great team that deserved to go.”

At regionals, the team lost their first round match 10-1 to eventual regional champion Alamo Heights, Oct. 25.

“I felt really upset about facing Alamo Heights first because I was looking forward to being in the main draw longer,” senior Londyn Thetford said. “The draw was unfair against the teams that couldn’t attend the seeding meeting.”

The team bounced back the next day with 10-3 wins over Roma and Gregory-Portland to finish fifth in the region and one of the top 20 4A teams in the state.

“Beating Roma and Gregory Portland showed our hard work paid off even though we lost to one of the best teams in the state first,” senior Cameron McCarthy said.

After originally planning on only teaching AP U.S. History this year, Hjort returned as the tennis coach for one final season. The team finished the fall season with 22 wins and six losses.

“The satisfaction level of me leaving this year compared to the satisfaction level of me leaving last year,” Hjort said. “I know this year is going to be very emotional. Last year didn’t seem as emotional. Leaving this year is very satisfying, but it’s still going to be very difficult at the end of the year.”