Apaches end tennis season at district

Although the Gonzales Apaches tennis team had high expectations coming into this year, their season ended at the district meet.

“We had an upsetting end to a wonderful season,” head coach Sarah Kennedy said. “However in sports, the scoreboard doesn’t always tell the full story or reflect the amount of hard work and desire that was put into every point. Every single match was played with heart and fight from our varsity tennis players at our district tournament.”

In boys’ singles, Matthew Grauke beat Cuero’s Donny Cardenas 6-1, 6-4 before losing to Canyon Lake’s Ian Hasness (who finished fourth) 6-4, 6-1, 1-6.

Nick Espinoza lost to eventual third-place finisher Esiquel Bilger from Wimberley, 0-6, 1-6.

In boys’ doubles, Sebastian Cristan and Brandan Gomez lose to the fourth-place finishers Staats/Villarreal from Cuero, 3-6, 6-3, 3-6. Meanwhile, Jacob Burek and Caden Low lost to second-place finishers Crowley/Holt from Wimberley 2-6, 3-6 after a first-round bye.

In girls’ singles, Madalin Kocian lost to La Vernia’s Blaine Peters 0-6, 2-6 after a first-round bye.

In mixed doubles, the team of Roma Gallardo and Eli Whitescarber beat Yoakum’s Ramirez/Gibbons 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 before losing to La Vernia’s Parnell/Royal 3-6, 3-6. The team of Chelsea McCauley and Josh Landi lost to Navarro’s Pearson/Collins 1-6, 3-6.

“Our athletes put forth their best efforts and are not letting the results hinder their spirits,” Kennedy said. “It is the fuel that will carry them into the next season and push them to want more. These tennis players have heart and that isn’t something that can be coached. They make me proud every day and are exited to start preparing for the fall season.”