Coronado thwarts Bobcats' state shot

SA Times - The Central High School tennis team's hopes of advancing to the state tournament ended Friday in a 10-8 loss against Lubbock Coronado in the Region I-5A quarterfinals in Abilene.

The Bobcats, who are ranked seventh in the state in Class 5A, opened with a 10-5 victory against Coppell. Central's boys won eight of nine matches.

In the loss against Coronado, the Central boys also dominated by winning eight of nine matches. Coronado swept all nine matches on the girls side and won the mixed doubles.

"A loss is a loss but we played our best match of the year," Central coach Matt Rutherford said of the setback against Coronado. "A couple more bounces our way and we're playing (today). I can't say enough about the quality of kids we have and the way they got after it today. It was impressive."

The Bobcats finished the fall season of team tennis with an 11-3 record. They will have a number of players who should contend for district and regional berths in the spring season of individual tennis.

For the eight seniors on the team, Friday's loss ended their hopes of making school history by reaching the state tournament.

"They were disappointed, but they took it well," Rutherford said of the seniors.