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(RYAN SCHMIDT | CONTRIBUTED PHOTO) The Lady Blues saw multiple strong performances in their district tournament matches April 23-24 in Brownwood. Jade Dospapas finished second in the girls singles tournament, Stacey Gonzalez (shown above) finished fourth and Kline Krupp and Heather Wright finished fourth in the girls doubles tournament. -
(RYAN SCHMIDT | CONTRIBUTED PHOTO) Members of the Steers tennis team compete in their district tournament matches April 23-24 in Brownwood where students saw success. Hayden Burrows was the top performer for the Steers finishing third in the boys singles tournament. -
(RYAN SCHMIDT | CONTRIBUTED PHOTO) The Steers and Lady Blues competed in their district tournament matches April 23-24 in Brownwood. Jade Dospapas advanced to the regional tournament after finishing as the runner up in the singles tournament.
The Steers and Lady Blues tennis teams both had strong outings at the district 6-4A championships in Brownwood.
After competing for two days, athletes from both teams qualified for high-ranking matches in the tournament and had one of their athletes advance to the regional championships.
The most notable advancement for the Lady Blues came from Jade Dospapas.
She finished the two-day tournament as the singles runner-up for girls’ participants and advanced to the regional championships from her performance.
Head coach Matt Birdwell praised Dospapas for her efforts.
“Jade has played really well all year long and this tournament was no different,” Birdwell said. “She did exactly what she needed to do each round in order to reach the championship.”
The advancement was also rewarding because Dospapas was able to advance against a familiar competitive rival in Rose Cordes of Stephenville. Birdwell said that both Dospapas and Cordes have been competing against each other since last April and always in the championship match.
Not only do these girls know each other inside and out, but according to Birdwell, they also have similar playing styles. This go around, Cordes was able to get the best of Dospapas because she was “really on her game” and had a more aggressive approach, Birdwell said.
However, the coach also said that while Cordes may have gotten the best of Dospapas this go around, this probably won’t be the last time they see each other as they will both be at the regional championships. Dospapas will have another opportunity to overtake Cordes at that tournament.
The rest of the team also played well with notable matchups and finishing placements.
Both the boys’ and girls’ doubles teams for Graham advanced past the quarterfinals picking up wins over Mineral Wells and Brock in their respective matches.
Dospapas and Stacey Gonzalez were also able to advance past Brock in the girls’ singles tournament which was one of Dospapas’ steps to advance to the regional championships.
After the two-day event concluded and Dospapas advanced to the regional championships, Hayden Burrows of the Steers also placed third in the boys’ singles tournament after also advancing to the championship match.
Gonzalez placed fourth in the singles tournament, and Heather Wright and Kline Krupp placed fourth in the girls’ doubles tournament.
After fighting hard in the district tournament, all eyes are on Dospapas as she competes in the regional championships.
