They won #100 yesterday--just imagine how long the streak will continue...
UNIVERSITY PARK — Highland Park senior Avery Schober remembers the T-shirt his brother Andrew earned to commemorate Highland Park’s 100-match team tennis winning streak in 2007.
On Tuesday, Avery and his teammates got their own T-shirts.
The four-time defending Class 4A state champion Scots won their 100 consecutive dual match over a five-year stretch with a victory over Carrollton Newman Smith.
“I was in middle school and didn’t think much about the winning streak until I saw my brother’s shirt,” said Avery, a team captain and one of seven seniors on the 24-person team. “I hadn’t ever seen one before. Not everyone has one. It’s special.”
Highland Park had won 114-consecutive dual matches until losing to New Braunfels in the 4A state final in 2007. The Scots haven’t lost since, with 214 victories in their last 215 dual matches.
Highland Park goes out of its way to schedule dual matches against perennial tennis powerhouses such as Plano West and Southlake Carroll.
“I coached in college before I started teaching here 13 years ago,” Highland Park coach Dan Holden said. “I brought down the same systems you teach in college, especially in doubles, and use it at the junior level.”
Approximately 50 players contend for the 24 varsity rosters spots each season. Holden and assistant coach Tyler Jimenez concentrate on doubles strategy and conditioning in daily practice sessions. Most Highland Park players then get individual singles practice in outside junior tennis programs four or five days per week.
“We’re fortunate to have the [community] interest in tennis,” Holden said. “That’s certainly a factor. But Tyler and I keep raising the bar, and the kids keep reaching it.”
Highland Park has won a UIL record 13 state tennis titles. This year’s regional competition begins Oct. 26-27 with the state tournament at Texas A&M on Nov. 2-3.
“Most people assume that it’s just easy for us to win,” Avery Schober said. “That’s what you think when you’re a younger player. But when you’re an older player, you have to teach the younger players what we do.”
3 comments:
That is way too many wins - they need to be taxed on those wins! Why not share the wins with lesser schools that do not practice as hard? Its is ONLY FAIR - we have less courts, our balls are softer, and our Coach was not a College Coach!!! - She was the typing teacher... it is NOT FAIR TAX THEM! TAX THEM! - Share the WINS!
Love
BACO
Michelle O
For those who feel compelled to write negative junk just give it a rest. They won't be published.
Thank you- I am tired of reading negative things(and using negative or degrading political analogies)about tennis, which should be a positive thing in most people's lives. People need to lighten up- A LOT!
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