The Brownwood Lions and Lady Lions team tennis season began Monday, with the first matches of the season just nine days away.
Head coach Crystal Blazek will be attempting to replace three girls and three boys that graduated, with a trip to Abilene to face Sweetwater and Big Spring looming on Aug. 10.
“When you lose three boys and three girls out of the top six that’s a big chunk on varsity,” Blazek said. “We have some JV kids and kids that played a little lower on the varsity that I think will step up. They look good, and some of the new freshmen are very promising.”
Regarding the season arriving, Blazek said, “The beginning of a new year is always an exciting time to see these newcomers step up and play. I was excited to see the kids again. We had a few open courts over the summer and a lot of the kids showed up.”
Despite UIL realignment, Brownwood will keep its tennis district rivals from the last few years – Gatesville, Stephenville, Glen Rose and Lampasas – in 7-4A.
“We’re going to strive to be district champs this year and knock off Gatesville and make the playoffs,” Blazek said. “But the first couple of days we just want beat the heat, that’s our first goal.”
The Lions and Lady Lions took the Brownwood High tennis courts at 3 p.m. Monday.
