Ian Story
Jessica Fears & Mandy Belew
Jake Moyers & Donald Griffin
Tyler Keel & Collin McMullen
Three White Oak players made it to the final four and received bronze medals at the 2A State Tennis Tournament held in Austin, at World of Tennis at Lakeway, May 9-10. Boys singles player, Ian Story, opened action on Monday with a 6-1, 7-6 (7-4) win over Wade Dillenbeck of Schulenburg in the quarterfinals, but then lost to Jesse Guerra of Tornillo, the eventual state champion, 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 in the semifinals. The girls doubles team of Jessica Fears and Mandy Belew, eliminated Crystal Zepeda and Unike Rodriguez of Dilley 6-1, 6-2 in the quarterfinals before losing to the soon to be state champions Kayla Casey and Carrie Casey of Franklin 6-1, 6-0 in the semifinals.
White Oak’s other state qualifiers, two boys doubles teams, Jake Moyers and Donald Griffin, suffered a 6-1, 6-0 loss to future state champions, J.J. Cestero and Brice Conoly of Wall, and Tyler Keel and Collin McMullen dropped a 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 decision to Taylor Lloyd and Austin Mays of Tuscola Jim Ned in quarterfinal action.
“We were very excited to have seven qualify for state in 2011. Everyone has worked extra hard this year to reach that ultimate goal of playing for the state championship and three almost made it to the finals. This has been an amazing season, because our team has had the leadership of several seniors that have been playing varsity tennis for four years. I love them all…almost like my own children…and I will miss them greatly.”