By Terry Carter
Katy ISD tennis standouts are competing this week in San Antonio at the UIL State Tennis Championships, and anything is possible in the heated battles for state medals. Momentum will be a driving force.
5A STATE TENNIS ACTION
In 5A tennis competition being played at the Northside Tennis Club, Jordan’s Namrata Makhija will play Leander Rouse on Tuesday at 8 a.m. in the state quarterfinal match. Semifinals are scheduled for Tuesday at 2 p.m., and the state finals in girls’ singles’ 5A tennis is slated for Wednesday at 8:30 a.m.
Jordan’s Keerthana Hari/Ikshu Shandilya will play girls’ doubles against Abilene Wylie in the quarterfinals Tuesday morning at 8 a.m. Semifinals are scheduled for 2 p.m. with the girls’ doubles 5A state finals set for Wednesday at 8:30 a.m.
In mixed doubles competition, Jordan’s Rachana Hari/Vincent Rivas meet Dripping Springs in the quarterfinals. The winner will advance to the semifinals at 2 p.m. And the winner of the semis will meet for the mixed doubles 5A state title at Northside TC on Wednesday at 8:30 a.m.
6A STATE TENNIS ACTION
In 6A competition, the Seven Lakes girls’ doubles team of Anna Bouleau/Liska Knight plays Round Rock at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday with semifinal action set for 3:15 p.m. The 6A girls’ state finals will be held at the Northside Tennis Center on Wednesday at 10 a.m.
In 6A boys’ doubles, Charles Kuchler/Mihir Amte of Tompkins take the court against Plano West on Tuesday at 9:15 a.m. The winner will play the state semifinal at 3:15 p.m. the same day with the 6A state boys’ doubles championship on the line at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.
Taylor’s Ally Lin/Jonathan Lin are District 19-6A’s hope in the 6A mixed doubles tennis. The Lin siblings will play against The Woodlands on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. with the state semifinals slated for 3:15 p.m. The 6A mixed doubles state championship will be played at Northside on Wednesday at 10 a.m.
Texas high school tennis is exceptionally competitive, and Taylor tennis coach Erich Klopp confirmed last week that Ally and Jonathan need endurance and court savvy to reach the state tournament.
“The regional tournament (in Deer Park) was a battle. In the playback (match to advance to state), Memorial proved to be a tough opponent. Ally and Jonathan came back to win the first set, then lost the second set in a tiebreaker,” Klopp said. “Jonathan and Ally were down several games in the third set, exhausted from two previous matches. We came back to win the match. Jonathan stayed strong throughout the match and tried to keep Ally focused. The last two games, Jonathan was completely drained of energy. Then Ally took control and motivated her brother — and they won.”