Tennis: Permian, OHS both go 1-1 on opening day

All of the potential head coach Mary Kay Mann sees in her Permian High School team tennis squad was on full display Friday during the Petroplex Team Tennis Invitational.

It wasn't enough to keep the Panthers in the tournament's main draw, but a 10-9 loss to District 2-5A rival San Angelo Central in the quarterfinals certainly didn't dampen their spirits.

Central is ranked No. 17 in the state by the Texas Tennis Coaches Association and has had an easy time against Permian in recent seasons.

The Panthers actually led 9-8 going into the last two matches, but the Bobcats pulled out a pair of tight matches at the No. 6 boys and girls singles positions to advance to the semifinals.

"We're right there," Mann said. "I told the kids it's kind of like our feet are in the water. They know where they're at and they don't take this as a loss. They take it as motivation.

"So now I've told them, we're motivated and let's take the next one."

Permian won't get another shot against Central until the District 2-5A schedule gets under way later this month.

Another early district preview will be on top today, though, when Permian plays at Odessa High at 8 a.m. in a fifth-place semifinal match.

Odessa High opened with a 10-1 victory against Hobbs (N.M.) before falling 14-1 to 2-5A rival Lubbock Coronado, which is ranked No. 7 in the state.

"I think they gave (Coronado) a little too much respect going in and I think they figured it out about halfway through," Odessa High coach Jayson Everett said of his players' outlook against the Mustangs. "They were disappointed because they knew they could've played better. They underestimated themselves a little bit is my conclusion.

"Next time we'll know, and if we improve on today's score and today's play, that's what we're looking for."

Nine of District 2-5A's 10 teams are in the tournament, and three advanced to the semifinals.

Coronado and Central will face off in the semifinals at Permian at 8 a.m. today, while Amarillo High will play the only outsider in the semifinals - No. 12-ranked San Antonio Reagan - in the other semifinal at Midland College.

The championship match will be played around noon at Midland College.

In its first year, the Petroplex Team Tennis Invitational is being co-hosted by Odessa High, Permian, Midland High and Midland Lee. The event will be a good primer for all nine 2-5A schools participating since there will be a District 2-5A Tournament in late October to determine which schools qualify for the Region I-5A Championships.

"To get this experience, you see exactly what we're up against come the end of October," Everett said. "I think (the district tournament) adds closure to the season for some teams. It allows you to go in and you're not out of the hunt at that point of the season. Everybody has something to play for with a district tournament at the end, so I think it's good."

Odessa High's mixed doubles team of Justin Hernandez and Annie Lewis went undefeated on the day, picking up the lone point for OHS against Coronado.

Permian opened the day with a 10-3 victory against El Paso Franklin and got undefeated days from several entries.

The girls doubles teams of Tai Lucero-Lauren Bolinger; Charlotte Dawson-Carrie Lasater; and Amanda Phillips-Jacque Bradshaw all went 2-0, as did Dawson, Lucero and Bolinger in singles matches.

For Permian's boys, the No. 3 doubles team of brothers Zack Webster and Nick Webster won both their matches. In mixed doubles, Jake Wood and Elizabeth Espinoza won both of their matches.