Article by Greg Jaklewicz
One win away from a return trip to the Class 5A State Tournament
Update – Thursday, Oct. 16
Bulldogs Beat Argyle 10–2
WICHITA FALLS — The Wylie High tennis team is moving on — and doing it in style.
The Bulldogs defeated Argyle 10–2 on Thursday morning to advance to the Region I Finals, keeping their season — and their dream of another state tournament appearance — very much alive.
They’ll play Friday, Oct. 17, for a return trip to the Class 5A State Tournament in Waco.
“We’ve put everything into this,” senior James McCall said. “Every match, every point — we’re locked in and cheering for each other. That’s what makes it special.”
Regional Tournament Preview
WICHITA FALLS — The Wylie High tennis team has hit the sweet spot — the Sweet 16 in Class 5A team tennis.
Wylie has advanced to the four-team regional tournament here, taking on Argyle at 10 a.m. Thursday on the Legacy High School courts. On the other side of the bracket is the Amarillo Tascosa vs. Grapevine battle, at the same time at Memorial High School.
The winners meet at 10 a.m. Friday at Hamilton Park Tennis Center for the state quarterfinals title and a trip to the state tournament on the line. The four-team state tourney will be played Oct. 22–23 in Waco.
Wylie advanced to its third title match as a Class 5A school last year, losing 10-2 to Frisco Centennial.
Centennial still is in the mix this year, taking on Corsicana in its regional match Thursday.
Dominant Postseason Run
Wylie has won three matches in the postseason, first blanking Lubbock-Cooper 13-0 on the WHS courts, then taking down El Paso Chapin 16-0. That renewed the regional rivalry with Amarillo High. The winner of that match traditionally has advanced to the state tournament.
Wylie would like to continue that trend — and now, after defeating Argyle 10–2, they’re just one match away from doing it again.
Blowing by the Sandies
Wylie clinched the match against Amarillo with a 10–1 lead. Matches on the court were allowed to play out, and the Bulldogs walked away with a solid 12–4 decision.
Coach Adam Cherry said Wylie played one of its best matches of the year against Amarillo High.
“You want to be peaking at the right time,” he said.
Meanwhile, Argyle downed Colleyville Heritage 10–8, Tascosa edged El Paso High 10–9, and Grapevine eliminated Aledo 12–4.
Wylie owns a 10–9 win over Grapevine earlier this season. The Bulldogs played without No. 1 girls singles player Hope Willis.
Wylie defeated El Paso High 15–4 in the AISD Invitational this season.
“Our closest match in 5A has been with Grapevine, so I am expecting to see them again,” Cherry said.
Key Wins and Turning Points
Cherry wanted to see his team up 5–2 against Amarillo after doubles but Wylie was ahead 6–1. However, those wins were not easy.
“It was way closer than the scoreline shows,” he said. “At one point, I thought we could go down 3–4.”
A big win at No. 3 girls doubles was key. Down 9–6 in a tiebreaker Wylie rallied to win 13–11.
“We saved several match points,” Cherry said.
It was a war at No. 1 doubles, with Willis and Kiley Hirsch on one side of the net and 2025 state singles runner-up Sara Shelhamer and her freshman partner on the other. Willis put away Shelhamer 6–4, 6–1 to win the singles championship in the spring.
Wylie prevailed in the rematch, too.
The Bulldogs got a tiebreaker win in mixed doubles.
And while Wylie looked good at Nos. 2 and 3 doubles, Talan Baker and James McCall pulled out a big win 6–3, 7–6 (7–4) at No. 1.
“That was 50–50. That’s two senior boys giving it all they got,” Cherry said.
McCall said their opponent was one of the best they’ve faced.
“We went into it knowing it would be a hard match. They've been consistently winning,” McCall said. “We practiced … getting our rhythm down and making it where we would play super good together.”
It was that kind of effort Wylie needed to advance.
“Both teams just battled, but that’s always what it is,” Cherry said.
Up Next – Region I Finals Tomorrow
Next Stop: Friday Morning.
Wylie will take the court once more — this time with a spot at the Class 5A State Tournament on the line.
They’ll face the winner of Tascosa vs. Grapevine for the Region I Championship in Wichita Falls.
Coach Cherry says his team is ready.
“I feel confident that if we can play like we did against Amarillo and Argyle, we’ll be fine these next two matches,” he said.
McCall echoed that belief.
“We’ve put everything into this,” he said. “We are mentally prepared to go into every match to do the best we can.”
Bulldog Spirit
When a match is finished, the players cheer whoever is still on the court. That is important to Cherry.
That happened Tuesday when the team was cheering the mixed doubles duo duking it out with their opponent.
“Everyone was watching those two,” Cherry said.
A dig at the net by Benton Hanner, playing with Lili Owens, turned into a winner, setting off an explosion of cheers.
“It was a huge momentum-changer.”
Cherry may or may not change his lineup from the Amarillo match. McCall said he expects to team again with Baker.
“He’s a textbook doubles player. That is, get to the net and volley,” McCall said, smiling. “I don’t hit super big shots.”
Baker “pulls stuff out when it’s least expected. He’ll hit random down-the-line winners or lobs. What he does works,” McCall said. “I do the same thing every time but he switches it up a bunch.”
Whatever works — and Wylie will turn to whatever works again Friday morning as they fight for a fourth trip to Waco.
“You go out there and grind your heart away,” McCall said.
Next Stop: Region I Finals
When: Friday, Oct. 17
What’s on the line: A return trip to Waco
Spirit: 100% Bulldog