The RHS Tiger and Lady Tiger tennis teams are gearing up for their first meet and the upcoming season with after school practices at the Veterans Memorial Park in Rock-dale.
“Everybody’s looking strong,” said Kristy Kaufmann, Rockdale High School tennis coach. “Things are going great.”
The Rockdale tennis team is highlighted by mixed doubles duo Devon Whitsel and Reyna Gonzalez, who won the 2018 UIL Class 3A Texas state championship. In what was their first season together, the pair dominated at the district 20-3A tournament, giving up no more than two games a set.
At the Region III tournament in College Station, the team gave up a total of one game in eight sets.
“They’re really excited to get the season started,” Kaufmann said. “They’re hitting all the time.
“I got them in a tournament with a bunch of 5A schools that’s coming up pretty soon to have some tougher competition to prepare them for down the line,” she said.
In addition to Whitsel and Gonzalez, Payton Miller and Eve King are returning to the court after qualifying for regionals last season after a second place finish in district 20-3A. Kaylee Criswell placed fourth in girl’s singles at district last season and will be back for the Lady Tigers.
“We also have some other kids that will do well this season,” Kauffman said. “Salome Cardona is coming up from the junior high and will do pretty well.
“Autumn Montelongo was also on a doubles team that got fourth at district last season, so she’s another player that could have a good season.”
The Varsity plays in their first tournament on Thursday, Jan. 31 at Pflugerville High School. Junior Varsity begins their season a week earlier in Pflugerville this Thursday.
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