Westwood High School’s tennis team proved their dominance once again as they clinched their fourth state tennis title in six years. In a resounding victory, Westwood defeated Houston Memorial with a score of 10-3 in the final match held at Baylor University. This win also marked their second consecutive Class 6A state team tennis title. The Warriors finished the season with a perfect record of 17-0 and extended their winning streak to an impressive 35 matches dating back to August 2022.
Coach Travis Dalrymple, an alumnus of Westwood, expressed his joy for the team’s success, stating, ‘Repeating isn’t a big deal to me, but since we’ve never done it, it’s kind of nice to have that now. It’s really about the kids, and I’m just happy for them to win state. It’s incredible.’
The Warriors showcased their dominance throughout the tournament, dropping only four matches in their two state matches. Despite having mostly new varsity players compared to last year, Westwood’s culture of motivation and support propelled them to victory. The boys doubles teams of Leon Chen and Aditya Paravasthuramesh, as well as Daniel Zhang and Devin Zhang, secured wins for the team. The girls pairs of Dana Kardonik and Janya Tellabati, and Lily Wang and Alexandra Mepham also contributed to the team’s success.
In the singles matches, Janya Tellabati and Lily Wang swiftly defeated their opponents, while Chen, Devin Zhang, Daniel Zhang, and Arjun Rajan showcased their skills with dominant wins in the boys singles category. These victories brought the Warriors to the required 10 wins for the title. The team also demonstrated resilience by handling a five-hour rain delay, emerging from it with renewed energy and determination.
Westwood’s success can be attributed to the dedication and hard work of all the players, including Sibi Raja, Alek Mesarovic, Anwitha Duduka, Simryn Jacob, and Faith Ou. Despite graduating a significant number of seniors last year, the team seamlessly transitioned into new roles and exceeded expectations.
In the Class 5A category, LASA also showcased their potential as a state power. Although they finished as the runner-up with a 10-1 loss to Frisco Centennial in the state final, LASA’s performance highlighted their progress as a program. In just four years of existence, the Raptors made their second consecutive trip to the state tournament. Notably, they secured a 10-4 victory over Boerne Champion in the semifinals, with wins in girls singles, boys singles, and boys doubles matches.
Wimberley emerged victorious in the Class 4A category, defeating Kaufman with a score of 10-7. Their success was attributed to a strong showing in doubles and girls singles matches. The girls doubles teams of Ella Malone and Kate Carson, Gwen Pierce and Kennedy Carson, and Lea Martin and Maggie Moore all secured wins. Additionally, the boys doubles team of Branton Kirchner and Marcus Gonzales, as well as the mixed doubles pair of Ty Marko and Maia Martin, contributed to the team’s victory. In the girls singles category, Malone, Lea Martin, Kate Carson, Pierce, and Moore emerged as winners.
Overall, Westwood’s triumph in the state tennis tournament solidifies their status as a dominant force in high school tennis. Their impressive record and consecutive titles are a testament to the team’s talent, hard work, and unwavering determination. Congratulations to Westwood and all the teams who participated in the tournament for their outstanding performances!