Article by Greg Jaklewicz
Photos Courtesy of TexPix.com and WylieSports.com
Aiming for the First 5A Title
The road to what could be Wylie’s first state tennis championship begins now.
The Bulldogs twice have advanced to the Class 5A final after winning the Class 4A championship in 2017, their final year in that classification.
Wylie lost 11-1 to defending Class 5A Dallas Highland Park in 2018 and then 10-2 to Frisco Centennial last fall.
The Bulldogs won a flip to host Lubbock-Cooper in its first postseason match on Tuesday. The bi-district match begins at 1 p.m.
On Aug. 23, Wylie blanked the Pirates 19-0 in the Abilene ISD Invitational.
“We played pretty well,” coach Adam Cherry said.
Two matches before that, however, Wylie lost 12-7 to Class 6A El Paso Coronado. Coronado recently won its district over EP Franklin, which Wylie routed 17-2 in the same tournament.
Wylie has not lost since, and the eight-match streak includes a 10-8 win over San Angelo Central, currently ranked No. 15 in 6A.
To prepare for its hopeful run to the state tournament, Wylie hosted Midland Legacy, which brought a No. 24 Class 6A ranking to Abilene. The Bulldogs took a solid 14-5 win on their own courts.
Building Strength Through Challenges
After opening the season with a brutal schedule on the road, Wylie has stayed closer to home and cruised to the district championship. The closest match was a 13-6 win over Wichita Falls Legacy, a day when Wylie let a few matches slip away.
“We didn’t slam the door and that’s what happens sometimes in close matches,” Cherry said.
He believes matches like that prepare his team more than blowouts do.
One thing Cherry has seen from his team is resilience.
“Legacy maybe was a wakeup call and we had some good practices after that,” he said.
In its other three district matches, Wylie outscored local rival Cooper, Abilene High and Wichita Falls Memorial 57-1.
Staying Sharp
Cherry’s goal was to keep his team sharp. Tougher opponents are just ahead, so competition during practice has been the forge. Challenge matches are huge in keeping Wylie at the top of its game.
“Iron sharpens iron. What better way to get ready than to play against each other,” Cherry said.
To prove that, junior James McCall went undefeated at No. 1 singles for the Bulldogs. Last year, McCall played at No. 4 but earned the No. 1 slot this year.
“I think that was very impressive,” Cherry said.
The Road Ahead
Should Wylie defeat Lubbock-Cooper again, the Bulldogs could face El Paso Chapin on Thursday. If successful, a likely showdown with Amarillo High — currently ranked No. 15 — looms the following week in Lubbock.
“On paper we’re favored but every year it has been a battle,” Cherry said.
Beyond that, the likes of Grapevine and Argyle could be waiting in Region I.
But that’s down the road.
Cool with Being No. 2
Playing in the second slot on the boys side is senior Talan Baker, who says he plays “all around in doubles.”
“They can put me anywhere and I am usually successful. I’m OK with 2. It’s just as important as 1.”
While Wylie is known for the strength of its girls team, the boys must also shine.
“All the boys, we’re all very close in the skill gap,” Baker said. “Our top five, we can all beat each other on any given day. Everyone has to bring his A-game every day in practice.”
As a senior leader, Baker follows the example of 2025 grad Tate Heuerman.
“I model after Tate. He was the quiet leader but when he spoke, we all listened. I like to think I’ve taken that role.”
Baker knows the mental side is key.
“We like to say that tennis is 75 percent mental and 25 percent physical.”
And with his senior season ticking down:
“We want to recreate the success we had last year as state runner-up, and bring it home this year.”
He has his eyes set on Amarillo High and, ultimately, a dream state title.
“I’ve been dreaming about that the moment I first picked up a racket.”
A Peek at Perry
Sophomore Jordyn Perry didn’t start tennis until sixth grade, but she now holds the No. 5 slot in girls singles.
“I started playing tennis and I really liked it,” she said. “I started playing a lot of tennis.”
Her serve is her strength, and she is working to polish her groundstrokes.
She and other young players — sophomores Serenity Coffman, Kiley Hirsch, Lily Owens, plus freshman contributors — form a core alongside upperclass leaders like state singles champion Hope Willis.
The postseason won’t be new for Perry.
“It was really nerve-wracking at first,” she said of her first playoff match. “But I’m really excited for playoffs. It’s the funnest part of the season.”
Perry has embraced her role.
“Never lose focus just because we’re playing an easy team. If everyone loses focus, you could end up losing. You still have to stay locked in.”
Like Baker, she doesn’t plan to play competitively in college but will focus on academics. For now, her focus is simple:
Lubbock-Cooper awaits.