Samuelson is perfect at tennis tourney

She represented the Boys & Girls Club of the Highland Lakes.

She won all three of her matches played at Our Lady of the Lake University against players from Houston, San Antonio and Marble Falls.

“Desiree had her serve working well today and some people took notice,” coach Mark Moran said. 

“Some people” included Sal Castillo, the head men’s and women’s tennis coach at OLLU.

“Coach Castillo was impressed with how well Desiree was serving the whole day,” Moran added. “Considering how cold it was when we first started, it was an advantage to get the first serve in.” 

Also participating were coach Moran’s two children, Mindi, 4, and Ethan,  6.  

Mindi Moran won a doubles match but no singles matches. Ethan Moran  played in both singles and doubles but could not win.  

All three students are coached by Mark and Juli Moran of the Andy Roddick Foundation.  

“I thought the kids had a lot of fun. It’s more fun to play someone you don’t know than playing someone all of the time,” Mark Moran said. “Ethan and Mindi obviously have a strong tennis upbringing, but mom Juli wants to stress the fun part more than the functional part.”  

Matches lasted no more than 20 minutes or the first player to reach seven games. 

The Morans hope to bring Junior Team Tennis to Marble Falls through the elementary schools. While Mark Moran will continue to work with Boys & Girls Club students, Juli Moran will be setting up the Junior Team Tennis leagues.