AUSTIN – Dallas-area schools claimed four state titles at Tuesday's Class 4A and 5A state tennis championships at the Penick-Allison Center, including wins in 4A boys' doubles and mixed doubles by Richardson Pearce.
The mixed doubles tandem of Johnny Kelley and Hannah Kelley started off the day with a thrilling 7-6, 7-6 win over Kolby Kilgo and Kenna Kilgo of Waco Midway. The Kelley twins twice survived tiebreakers in each set, including rallying from a 3-0 deficit in the second tiebreaker.
"Playing in that first tiebreaker helped us get ready for the second one," Hannah Kelley said. "It was such an amazing feeling when that last point came down on our side to win the match."
The win by the Kelleys finished off a wild journey to state, which included having to win a playback match at regionals.
Pearce also celebrated after the final match of the state tournament, as Tam Trihn and Kyle Plum claimed a thrilling 6-7, 6-2, 6-2 win over Dennis Roy and Kevin Runda of Frisco Centennial.
The state final was a rematch of the Region II final, with Trihn and Plum avenging a loss to Roy and Runda.
"This win took a load off our backs after losing to them at regionals," Plum said. "It was such a hard-fought match for both teams, and we really had to push after losing the first set."
Highland Park's Abby Steinback and Kellye McDade won the title in 4A girls doubles, and Plano West's Matt Andrus and Ben Guthrie won in 5A boys doubles.
Steinback and McDade were part of an all Highland Park final, defeating freshman teammates Kristen Adams and Kristen Mee, 6-1, 6-0. The state title was Steinback's third in girls' doubles, while McDade won her first.
"It was just amazing that all four of us made it to the final," Steinback said. "It was tough to have to play them, but it was great to win a state title."
Andrus and Guthrie helped Plano West retain the 5A boys' doubles crown with a 7-5, 7-6 victory over Alex Durham and Russell Bader of Austin Westlake. Former teammates Sergio Antognelli and Chris Bell won the title last year.
The Plano West duo closed out the match in impressive fashion, never trailing in the second-set tiebreaker.
"We wanted to keep the title at Plano West, and we really had to fight for it in the final," Andrus said. "Every point was a fight, and we knew we couldn't miss many plays if we wanted to win."
Finishing as state runner-ups was Highland Park's Charlotte Calhoun (4A girls' singles) and McKinney North's Brandon Flores (4A boys' singles).
Robert Thomas is a freelance writer in Austin.
UIL STATE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS
CLASS 5A
(At UT's Penick-Allison Courts, Austin)
BOYS SINGLES FINALS
Ben Chen, Klein Collins d. Jonathan Chang, Hou. Memorial, 7-6 (1), 3-6, 6-3
BOYS DOUBLES FINALS
Matt Andrus/Ben Guthrie, Plano West d. Alex Durham/Russell Bader, Aus. Westlake, 7-5, 7-6 (2)
GIRLS SINGLES FINALS
Lilly Kimbell, New Braunfels d. Anik Cepeda, College Station A&M Consolidated, 6-1, 6-1
GIRLS DOUBLES FINALS
Micah Hermsdorf/Ariel Morton, Klein d. Alex Adams / Sam Adams, New Braunfels, 6-2, 6-3
MIXED DOUBLES FINALS
Scott Keeton/Hidako Tachibana, New Braunfels d. Amanda DiCarlo/Brandon Farine, Hou. Clear Lake 7-5, 6-3
CLASS 4A
(At UT's Penick-Allison Courts, Austin)
BOYS SINGLES FINALS
Grant Adams, Texarkana Texas d. Brandon Florez, McKinney North, 4-6, 7-6 (1), 6-4
BOYS DOUBLES FINALS
Tam Trihn/Kyle Plum, Rich. Pearce def. Dennis Roy/Kevin Runda, Frisco Centennial, 6-7, 6-2, 6-2
GIRLS SINGLES FINALS
Millie Nichols, Austin Lake Travis d. Charlotte Calhoun, Highland Park, 6-1, 6-0
GIRLS DOUBLES FINALS
Kellye McDade/Abby Stainback, Highland Park d. Kristin Adams/Kristin Mee, Highland Park, 6-1, 6-1
MIXED DOUBLES FINALS
Hannah Kelley/Jonny Kelley, Rich. Pearce d. Kolby Kilgo/Kenna Kilgo, Waco Midway, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (6)
CLASS 3A
(At World of Tennis Sports Complex, Lakeway)
BOYS SINGLES FINALS
Will Stein, Argyle d. Tucker Mueck, Robinson, 6-3, 6-1
BOYS DOUBLES FINALS
Josh Marshall/Steven Stanley, Vernon d. Daniel Kil/Justin Prater, Alvarado, 7-6 (4), 6-2
GIRLS SINGLES FINALS
Brooke Dennis, Abilene Wylie d. Brittni Fausett, Cameron Yoe, 6-2, 6-2
GIRLS DOUBLES FINALS
Caitlin Cramer/Courtney Cramer, Abilene Wylie d. Meagan Vargas/Hannah Jones, Vernon, 6-0, 6-3
MIXED DOUBLES FINALS
Natalie Hand/Josh Wilgus, Van d. Colin Bumann/Leslie Ingram, Abilene Wylie, 6-1, 7-5
CLASS 2A
(At World of Tennis Sports Complex, Lakeway)
BOYS SINGLES FINALS
Hunter Loyd, Tuscola Jim Ned d. Alex Layfield, Kerens, 6-2, 6-3
BOYS DOUBLES FINALS
Levi Joy/Ryan Burden, Brock d. Darius Neal/Dylon Neal, Malakoff, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2
GIRLS SINGLES FINALS
Kayla Casey, Franklin d. Taylor Hibler, San Saba, 6-2, 6-1
GIRLS DOUBLES FINALS
Maritza Sosa/Victoria Marquez, Big Lake Reagan County d. Laura Brainard/Rachel Anthony, Brock, 6-4, 6-1
MIXED DOUBLES FINALS
Kendra Casey/Jake Russ, Franklin d. Daniel Atterberry/Afton Barber, Krum, 6-1, 6-1
CLASS A
(At World of Tennis Sports Complex, Lakeway)
BOYS SINGLES FINALS
Matt Banner, Mason d. Max Wilson, Leakey, 6-2, 6-2
BOYS DOUBLES FINALS
Bobby Buist/Michael Vargas, Mason d. Josh Hill/James Kothmann, Menard, 7-6 (5), 6-3
GIRLS SINGLES FINALS
MaKenzie Mitchell, Mason d. Kaitlyn Cash, Afton Patton Springs, 6-1, 6-4
GIRLS DOUBLES FINALS
Denay Baxter/Brittany Estes, Mason d. Madison Burney/Lauren Keith, Mason, 6-2, 6-0
MIXED DOUBLES FINALS
Laci Lyckman/Zach Rambo, Menard d. Ed Salazar/Ashley Salazar, Knippa, 4-6, 7-6 (1), 6-3
