Marble Falls tennis player third in singles at Mason Shootout

FROM STAFF REPORTS

MASON — The Marble Falls High School tennis team competed in the Mason Shootout tournament Feb. 14-15.

Senior Mike Stripling finished third in boys singles. But perhaps the most interesting part of the tournament occurred during the semifinals when Stripling faced Abilene High’s No. 1 player. The Eagles are regarded as having one of the top programs in the state, Marble Falls head coach Jeff Savage said.

Still, Stripling won the first set 6-0.

“Mike played one of the best sets I’ve ever seen him play,” hSavage said.

Stripling’s racquet had some broken strings in the second set, so he was forced to use a racquet belonging to teammate Madison Dyer.

In the end, he lost the final two sets, including a third-set tiebreaker.

Meanwhile, Dyer and Hanna Dockery finished third in girls doubles. They defeated Fredericksburg in three sets but lost to Abilene High in straight sets.

“Mustang tennis is working hard to tune up for the district tournament in early March, and events like this allow the team a guaranteed four matches where players have a chance to experience different styles of play,” Savage said.

The Mustangs invite members of the community 9:30 a.m. Feb. 22 to hit with them. The event will be at the high school tennis courts, 2101 Mustang Drive in Marble Falls.

jfierro@thepicayune.com

RESULTS: Boys singles— Mike Stripling def Kerrville Tivy 6-3, 6-0; def. Midland Christian 6-1, 6-0; lost to Abilene High 6-0, 2-6, 6-7 (5-7); def. Fredericksburg 6-2, 6-1

Girls doubles — Madison Dyer and Hanna Dockery def. Midland Christian 6-2, 6-4; def. Fredericksburg 4-6, 6-2, 6-4; lost to Abilene High 2-6, 2-6; def. San Angelo Central 6-2, 7-6

UP NEXT: 9:30 a.m. Feb. 22, hitting with the Mustangs at the high school tennis courts, 2101 Mustang Drive in Marble Falls