Robert E. Lee netters win third straight district championship

Published 3:45 am Wednesday, September 26, 2018

ROBERT E. LEE HIGH School tennis players Chloe Russell and Marla David talk between sets at The Cascades in Tyler on Tuesday.

The Robert E. Lee Red Raiders are district tennis champions once again.

Lee clinched the District 11-6A team tennis title with a 10-2 victory over Longview on Tuesday at The Cascades Golf & Country Club’s Tennis Center.

“Three in a row. That’s pretty amazing,” REL coach Charlie Sizemore said. “… proud of them.”

The Red Raiders have clinched the championship with one match to go, Oct. 2 at Mesquite Horn.

Lee has defeated district opponents Rockwall-Heath (18-1), North Mesquite (19-0), Mesquite (19-0) and Rockwall (17-2).



REL took a 5-2 lead over the Lobos after doubles. Taking wins for Lee in boys doubles were Nathan Drain-Evan Von Eschenbach over Austin Grefenkamp-Zach Fasang, 6-2, 6-4; and Jack Nowlin-Caleb Frederick, 6-4, 6-4. Longview’s Chris Hollyfield-Nitin Rangu defeated David Pirtle-Cole Von Eschenbach 6-3, 6-3.

Lee swept the girls doubles — Claire Fisher-Lilly Deatherage (6-2, 6-1 over Gowri Rangu-Rachna Edular), Avery Riley-Grace Von Eschenbach (5-7, 6-2, 10-5 over Elizabeth Wall-Kelsey Quiett) and Marla Davis-Chole Russell (6-0, 6-1 over Delia Acunta-Bhavna Singh).

In mixed doubles, Longview’s Simran

Kortikere and Connor Gilliland won over Zakk Gaston and Megan Morris, 6-0, 6-1.

Taking wins in girls singles for Lee were Deatherage (6-1, 6-0 over Edulaij), Riley (6-1, 6-1 over Quiett) and Grace Von Eschenbach (6-2, 6-2 over Gowri Rangu).

REL boys singles winners were Evan Von Eschenbach (6-1, 6-1 over Fasang), Cole Von Eschenbach (6-0, 6-2 over Ni-tin Rangu) and Nowlin (6-0, 6-3 over Hollyfield).

Longview’s Simran Kortikere won over Fisher in girls singles, 7-5, 6-0, while Griefenkamp downed Drain 7-6, 1-6, 10-6. Also, Morris won over Wall, 8-3.

The official count was 10-2 while other matches played out for a final of 12-4.

Lee returns to play on Sept. 29 at Coppell and Southlake Carroll.

The District 11-6A Team Tennis Tournament is Oct. 11-12 in Rockwall. The bi-district playoffs begin Oct. 16.