Brownwood (8-4), the runner-up from District 6-4A, earned its first physical postseason victory in multiple seasons as recent bi-district titles came due to an opening-round bye in the playoffs.
“This is the first time since I have been at Brownwood that we have won the bi-district match,” said Brownwood High tennis coach Crystal Blazek. “We have advanced before because we received a bye for the first round, so getting an actual win in that round felt great and the kids got to experience that as well. I’m proud of the kids and the way they have stepped up this year.”
In the win over District 5-4A third-seed Decatur, Brownwood set the tone in doubles play.
“We got up 5-2 after doubles which gave us the momentum,” Blazek said. “It was a great win.”
The Lions swept their three doubles matches with victories belonging to the No. 1 team of Mo Goff and Peter Le (6-2, 6-0 over Christian Firm and Jett Cartwright), the No. 2 team of Julian Lares and Nathan Ramos (6-3, 6-3 over Reid Terrell and Jackson Terrell), and the No. 3 team of Victor Hernandez and River Prado (6-2, 6-1 over Cain Long and Morgan Call).
The Lady Lions added a pair of doubles wins collected by No. 1 team Aaliyah Uvalle and Victoria Ramos (7-6 [7-2], 7-5 over Abigail McBride and Alexis McBride), as well as No. 3 team Labritaney Pollard and Tatum DeHart (4-6, 6-3, 10-7 over Emma McAlister and Kenna Chaney).
In singles competition, the Lady Lions owned a 5-0 record with wins earned by No. 1 Uvalle (6-2, 6-3 over Ericka Dusek), No. 2 Ramos (6-0, 6-1 over Alexis McBride), No. 3 Aiswarya Nigalye (7-5, 6-2 over Abigail McBride), No. 4 Pollard (2-6, 6-4, 10-7 over Tayler Branscum), and No. 5 DeHart (6-2 over McAlister).
Adding to the win total in boys singles action were No. 1 Goff (6-2, 6-0 over Firm), No. 2 Le (2-6, 6-3, 10-7 over Cartwright) and No. 4 Lares (3-6, 6-1, 10-6 over Alex Alcarez).
Next for the Lions and Lady Lions is perennial state power Vernon at 11 a.m. Saturday at Abilene Wylie in the area round of the playoffs.