Concho Valley Athletes Storm Into Semifinals at State Tennis Tournament

SAN ANTONIO, TX — It was a sensational day for the Concho Valley at the UIL State Tennis Tournament on Thursday with 19 entrants advancing to the semifinal round.

Mason had nearly half of those as its nine entrants all made their way to the state semifinals.

Tom Green County has three entrants still alive as Wall’s Katelyn Holtmann and Amelia Taylor each advanced in girls singles in Class 3A, as did Christoval’s Zoe Askins in 2A.

Other highlights included Olfen’s Grant Halsell continuing to make school history. Halsell, Olfen’s first-ever state qualifier in any sport, won his quarterfinal match 6-1, 6-1 over Knippa’s Cameron Santos.

Halsell will play the defending 1A state champion, Rising Star’s Colt Lawrence, on Friday.

Menard’s boys doubles team of Zeke Hernandez and Cado Bannowsky also reached the 1A state semis with a pair of wins Thursday.

Mason, home to the most decorated tennis program in Texas with more than 100 state titles, will be represented in every division Friday.

Mason has numerous clashes set up with other Concho Valley teams.

In boys singles, Miles’ Delane Syler will play Mason’s Kelton Jordan, while Reagan County’s Levi Knight will play Mason’s Russell Watson.

In boys doubles, Reagan County’s David Alonso and Gunnar Stroud will play Mason’s Carlton Schmidt and Keegan Ratliff. Mason’s Corbin Martinez and Jaxson Holbrook will play Seymour’s Layton McAdams and Sam Dryer.

In girls singles, Christoval’s Askins will play Mason’s Shaylee Edmiston.

In girls doubles, Reagan County’s Makayla Rodriguez and Jalaeda Perez will play Mason’s Conley Bownds and Kalli Criswell. Mason’s Emma McCrea and Heidi Smith will play Wink’s Lailah Solis and Delaney Dodd-Fernandes.

In mixed doubles, Reagan County’s Colton Kuykendall and Ashley Lopez will play Mason’s Cade Dudney and Scout Magnus. Mason’s Cooper Ratliff and Taylor Bierschwale will play either Fort Hancock or Albany.

The state semifinals and finals will be held Friday in San Antonio. Blossom Tennis Center is hosting the 1A and 2A tournaments. The 3A tournament will be held at Annemarie Tennis Center.