By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
Del Rio High School’s fall tennis team is headed into unchartered territory.
The team defeated Harlingen South, 11-6, to claim the Class 6A, Region IV Area championship Thursday and set up a third meeting against District 30-6A runner-up Laredo Alexander in the regional quarterfinals Tuesday at Uvalde High School beginning at 10 a.m.
Del Rio and Alexander split their previous two meetings this season. The winner of Tuesday’s match will meet either San Antonio Reagan or Austin Westlake in the regional semifinals.
The win over Harlingen South was a total team effort for Del Rio.
In boys doubles, William Proffit and Max Camarena won their match in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1. Jose “Pepe” Castañeda and Ricardo Mejia also won their match, 6-3, 2-6, (10-7).
In girls doubles, Andrea Favela and Marian Garcia needed three sets for the win, 6-4, 2-6, (11-9).
In boys singles, Camarena was a straight-set winner, 6-2, 6-0. Proffit won a slugfest in three sets, 5-7, 7-6(7-3), (10-4). Castañeda was also a three-set winner, 6-2, 6-7(4-7), (10-3).
In girls singles, Del Rio went 4-0.
Favela won in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2. Alejandra Solar dropped just two games in her win, 6-1, 6-1. Garcia was also a straight-set winner, 6-1, 6-2. Kennedy Treviño was also a winner, 6-4, 6-3.
The heat and humidity took its toll on the players as two of the girls singles matches ended prematurely due to health precautions.
Del Rio and Alexander, which defeated Edinburg 10-3, aren’t the only 30-6A teams to reach the region’s Elite Eight. Laredo United, the district champions, defeated Edinburg North 16-3, to advance to the regional quarterfinals. They’ll play San Antonio Health Careers Tuesday at 4 p.m. at Uvalde.
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
