Five athletes from three Frisco ISD high schools competed at the UIL State Tennis Tournament held Monday, May 16 and Tuesday, May 17 in College Station.
In the 4A classification, Reedy High School boys’ doubles team John Basham and Anikait Sharma, the silver medalists from the regional tournament, matched up against Jordan Davis and Lucio Valenzuela from Andrews High School in the state quarterfinals. Basham and Sharma played a competitive match, but in the end they fell to Davis and Valenzuela, 3-6 and 3-6. Basham and Sharma were the first players from Reedy High School to compete at the state tennis tournament.
“I’m very proud of not only these two young men but the entire Reedy Lion tennis team for their hard work,” said Reedy Head Tennis Coach Sam Rodriguez. “This has been such a selfless and encouraging group. They are so happy when their teammates do well.”
In the 5A classification, Haley Morrissey from Frisco High School, the regional runner-up in the girls’ singles division, played Tyler Duncan of Austin Vandergrift High School in the quarterfinal round. Morrissey dropped the first set, 5-7, but rallied to take the second set 6-1. In the third and deciding set, Morrissey fought hard but came up just short, losing the set 6-7(2). Morrissey was the first Frisco High tennis player to advance to state since 2011.
“We are really proud of Haley and the way she competed throughout the spring,” said Frisco High Head Tennis Coach Brian Woods. “Her teammates and coaches have loved having her here with us and appreciate how she competes with such class and determination.”
Also in the 5A classification, girls’ doubles team Lauren Miller and Trinity Vivona of Independence High School, the second place finishers at the regional meet, played Bella Bergman and Raillane Kamdem from Grapevine High School in the quarterfinals. Though they played hard, Miller and Vivona lost the match in straight sets, 2-6 and 5-7. Miller and Vivona were the first tennis players in school history to advance to the state tournament.
“We are very proud of the leadership and examples that Trinity and Lauren have provided for our tennis program,” said Independence Head Tennis Coach Steve Schkade. “Their hard work, perseverance and class are great models for all of our players at all levels. At a time when we are building our culture here at IHS, working models of what a champion looks like are very important. They had a great year.”
Congratulations to these outstanding FISD tennis players for making it to the state tournament. FISD is proud of you!