By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
Tennis has always been Nolan Pritchard’s passion. Now he’s taking his passion to a new school district.
Pritchard, who most recently served as the girls head tennis coach for the San Felipe Del Rio CISD, announced via social media that he had accepted a position with the Uvalde ISD’s tennis program.
“Well now that it’s OFFICIAL OFFICIAL … I’m taking my talents to Uvalde to be a part of a program that continuously grows the love of the game of Tennis. Last year alone, around 70 HS athletes for a 4A school played tennis. I hope to grow my knowledge of the game more under the guidance of Head Coach Terrie Rambie while I serve as HS Assistant and JH Coach,” Pritchard wrote on his Facebook page earlier this month.
San Felipe Del Rio CISD Athletic Director Frenchey McCrea Jr. confirmed Pritchard’s departure and said he was actively looking for a coach to fill the position. As of the end of the 2021-22 school year, Enrique Santillan remained as the boys tennis coach.
Pritchard replaced girls head coach Lillie Castellano, for whom the high school’s tennis complex is named, after she retired. He had been with the school district’s tennis program for eight years, the last four as the head girls coach.
Pritchard helped turn Del Rio High’s tennis program into one of the best in District 29-6A. In Spring 2021, the Queens won the district championship behind singles champion Andrea Favela and doubles champions Reagan and Kennedy Treviño.
That fall, the entire team qualified for the playoffs, finishing third in the district. Del Rio defeated San Antonio Harlan and Harlingen South to advance to the Class 6A, Region IV quarterfinals before bowing out of the playoffs to district rival Laredo Alexander.
In April of this year, Favela defended her district singles title becoming the first Queens player to do that since Angela Vargas. As a team, the Queens finished third in district.
Del Rio also won the boys duos district title as William Proffit and Max Camarena teamed up to take the title.
Whomever becomes the new Queens head coach will not only get two-time district champion Favela, but two-time district runner-up Alejandra Solar. Both Favela and Solar will be juniors this coming school year.
The biggest problem in filling the tennis position will be time. Fall tennis is scheduled to begin Monday, Aug. 1 along other fall sports football, volleyball and cross-country.
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
