Rockdale High School sophomore Yolianna Castillo qualified for Region III tennis tournament, but didn’t exactly have the easiest route getting there.
Although she went into the district tournament— held Wednesday at Rockdale Junior High—as the second seed behind eventual district champion Kaylee Alexander of Academy, Castillo was forced to take on Academy’s Addison Andrews, the District 19-3A tournament’s fourth seed in the opening round.
“The first match was definitely tough,” Castillo said. “I was constantly having to adjust and fight hard.”
“I kept thinking how I couldn’t let up and just took it one point at a time,” she said.
The Lady Tiger led early in the first set, but Andrews fought back to take the opener, 7-5. This motivated Castillo to win the second set 6-4 and moved on to the semifinals after taking the final set, 6-1.
“After losing the first set, it somehow made me push even harder,” she said. “My mind was on winning the match.”
Castillo went on to beat Lexington’s Piper Slusher 6-3, 6-2 for a chance to face Alexander.
Although Castillo lost to Alexander, 7-6 (8-6), 6-2, she won a silver medal and a chance to play at the regional tournament.
Going into her first visit at regionals and having to face a district champion, Castillo’s goal is to improve her game.
“(At regionals), I hope I can gain experience and learn to become a better player,” she said.
The Region III tournament takes place at College Station’s A&M Consolidated High School on Monday and Tuesday.
JUNIOR VARSITY— Beth Montelongo won a silver medal in the girls singles division and the team of Grace Avrin and Alex Rivera also took home silver medals in mixed doubles division.
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