After a successful 2014 season, the varsity tennis team started out strong against tough competition in its first two tournaments of the season.

In the Chap/Maroon Invitational on Feb. 20, sophomore Alex Reinhart placed first in singles, sophomores Jessie Meek and Loli Perim were finalists in girls doubles and seniors Charles Tan and Fernanda Contreras were finalists in mixed doubles. The next week the team moved on to the Unicorn Open March 6-7 in New Braunfels.

“I really enjoyed going to the Unicorn Open,” Fernanda said. “There were a lot of good teams. I didn’t lose a game until the finals, where I lost four games, but [New Braunfels player] Sammi Gillas was a really good player. I am looking forward to seeing her at State.”

At the Unicorn Open, the Chaps placed second overall. Many doubles teams and singles players made it to the quarterfinals and semifinals. Second place doubles teams included brothers senior Julian Sweeney and sophomore Marcus Sweeney in boys doubles and Jessie and Loli in girls doubles. Fernanda took first in the girls singles competition.

“It’s fun playing with my brother because since I’m older, I get to call the shots and lead the team,” Julian said. “We played really well in the New Braunfels tournament and lost the finals in a close third set. We are playing better together every match and I think we could definitely win it all.”

The Chaps are using their early matches as preparation for Regional and State competition.

“We hope to qualify as many people to Regionals as possible,” coach Kim Riley said. “We qualified four people last year, and we would like to do a little better this year, but ultimately to get a singles player or doubles team to State is always the final goal.”