WACO:  The Varsity Tennis team competed in the TAPPS 6A State Tournament on Monday and Tuesday at the Waco Regional Tennis and Fitness center.  Following their dominant performance at the TAPPS District Championships two weeks ago, expectations were high for the Cardinals heading into the tournament.  All four of the Cards' top singles qualified for state, along with the top Boys doubles pair.  Also included for the first time ever this year was the mixed doubles event, featuring a boy and girl from each team.  

During Monday's opening round of the single elimination tournament, three Cardinals managed to make it to the round of sixteen.  Jake Vo, Jonas Aronsson, and Nataly Montemayor took care of business early Monday morning to advance to the quarterfinals that afternoon.  Valeria Gonzalez, the Lady Cards #2 singles player, played tough and scrappy but eventually fell to the state runner-up out of The Village School in Houston (6-0, 6-1).  Aaron Kieth and Will Dawson, subbing for an injured Ryan Ward, put on a show at center court during their doubles match against Nolan Catholic.  The pair, playing together for the first time this year, showed some real determination in the face of adversity and refused to go down easy.  Keith and Dawson came up short in the first set 6-4, but forced a second set tiebreaker before the Vikings took a late lead to win 7-6.  

Vo (6-0, 6-0), Aronsson (6-0, 6-0), and Montemayor (6-2, 6-2) all advanced to the second round, but only Vo would make it to Day Two.  Aronsson, dealing with a nagging injury since before the district tournament, battled bravely but ran into the eventual state champion out of El Paso - Cathedral (6-1, 6-2).  Unable to serve overhand, Aronsson gutted it out when many others would have quit, putting his strength of character on display for all to see.  Montemayor (6-0, 6-1) had her hands full in the quarterfinals as well, going up against a senior opponent from Nolan who would finish as a state finalist.  Never discouraged, Montemayor, just a sophomore already playing in her second state tournament, put up a fight and gained plenty of experience.  Vo, however, made quick work of his second opponent out of Houston St. Thomas, advancing to the semi-finals with a perfect 6-0, 6-0 win.  

The senior captain was challenged on Tuesday morning, needing a second set tiebreaker to defeat his adversary out of St. Pius X (6-4, 7-6).  As the heat intensified quickly on Day Two, it became apparent that the afternoon's matches would be a true test of endurance.  Vo would face Isaac Royval from El Paso - Cathedral, the same opponent who knocked out Aronsson during round two, in the state championship final, his fourth match in just over 24 hours.  Both players traded games early on, but Royval rattled off five straight games to stun Vo in the first set.  By mid afternoon the heat was radiating off of the courts, clearly taking its toll on the players, who needed constant towel breaks.  Vo regained his composure in the second set and strained his way to a 4-3 lead,  looking like he was poised to take over for good.  In the eighth game, the players traded a minutes-long volley, trading haymaker after haymaker like a Tyson/Holyfield heavyweight bout.  The crowd stood and applauded following the point, as both players seemed spent.  At the end of the herculean exchange, Vo was in obvious pain and required a medical timeout.  After a brief three-minute treatment, the match resumed but Vo was still hobbled.  Refusing to quit, the senior fought until the end, ultimately overcome by exhaustion with the final score 6-1, 6-4.  Vo finished as the Boys 6A State Runner-Up and silver medalist.  

As a team, the Varsity Boys placed 2nd overall, behind only El Paso - Cathedral, while the Varsity Girls, competing with just two players, tied for 6th at state.  The Cardinals' head coach Sally Frame raved about her squad's performance in Waco.  "I'm really proud of this team for putting in the hard work all season and battling at state, and I'm especially proud of our seniors and how they led the team all year.  It's a fantastic accomplishment for the boys team - Will, Jonas, Aaron, and Jake - to take 2nd as a team.   We couldn't have done it without the support of the parents, school administration, teachers, and booster club volunteers.  We are all so grateful."  Additionally, the Cardinals first ever mixed doubles pair to compete at state featured the duo of junior Alex Rossigno and senior Torie Pensado.  Frame said she hoped to see the event, which is just an exhibition for now, added to the full slate for next year.  "To me, it's a no-brainer for the TAPPS decision makers.  It gives more kids the chance to compete at state, and it's just a really fun event to watch."  

The future of JPII Tennis is bright, and Frame is excited to see the program take the next step.  "Valeria and Nataly, just sophomores this season, are ready to set up and lead the girls team next year.  They both saw the top level of competition here at the state tournament and are going to put in the work in the offseason to compete again in 2023.  Jonas will be back to lead the Boys team, and we have a bunch of young, talented guys ready to fill the shoes of Jake, Aaron, Ryan, and Will."  Congratulations to all of our Cardinal Tennis players on a great season, and special thanks to our seniors for leaving a worthy legacy!