Lehman’s Desiree Kittel is a perfect 19-0 in singles play this season. She and teammate Adolfo Gonzalez will be the top seeds when Lehman and the Rebels co-host the District 27-4A varsity tournament April 3-4 at Hays. (photo by Anissa Robles)
By JASON GORDON
The Hays High tennis courts will be busy over the course of the next week.
First, it will play host to the Hays Rebel Invitational Thursday and Friday.
Next week will be the real test on April 3-4, as Hays and Lehman co-host the District 27-4A tournament.
All the varsity matches will be played at Hays, while the district JV matches will be played at both Hays and Lehman.
“It is great for our players to be closer to home so that more family and friends can come out and support our players and see some great tennis,” Hays head coach Debbie Cook said. “We will definitely face some tough competition from Alamo Heights and Smithson Valley. We feel our team is prepared to meet the challenge head on and we are ready for this district tournament.”
Hays’ mixed doubles teams of Caitlin Camp and Ricky Hearn, and Sam Simoneau and Brooke Fulwiler, and the Rebel boys doubles team of Zack Curry and Josh Bieter all have a solid shot at advancing to the regional meet at Blossom Tennis Center in San Antonio.
Lehman head coach Orlando De La Fuente said he’s excited to be co-hosting the district tournament with Hays High.
“It truly is an exciting time for tennis in Hays CISD,” De La Fuente said.
Lehman has two outstanding singles players that have their sights set on play beyond the district tournament.
Senior Adolfo Gonzalez, a state semifinalist in singles as a freshman, and fellow player Desiree Kittel are undefeated in singles play during regular season tournaments this season. Kittel is also trying to make her first trip to state. Her sister Penelope went to the state meet in 2010.
“Adolfo and Desiree are the favorites at district in boys and girls singles for sure,” De La Fuente said. “They both earned the No. 1 seed. I don’t want to get ahead of myself because we have the dubious honor of being in the toughest Class 4A region in the state with the likes of Lake Travis, Boerne Champion and Alamo Heights. That said, we feel like both Desiree and Adolfo stand a very good chance at earning a trip to the state tournament.”
Gonzalez, who was plagued by injuries his sophomore and junior years, said he’s more determined than ever to make it back to state.
“I told myself this year I wasn’t going to let anyone get close to beating me and that’s what I’ve been doing,” Gonzalez said. “I’m undefeated going back to the team season last fall and I intend to keep it that way.”
The regional tournament will be held April 16-17 at Blossom Stadium.
The UIL Class 4A State Tennis Tournament is April 30-May 1 at the World of Tennis Center at Lakeway.
