Tyler Legacy to take on The Woodlands in regional semifinals

Published 6:58 pm Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Tyler Legacy will meet No. 3 The Woodlands in the Class 6A Region II tennis semifinals at 1 p.m. Thursday at Mansfield Lake Ridge High School.

While the Red Raiders know it’s going to be a challenge, it’s not the first time they’ve faced a strong opponent.

“We’re used to playing these tough teams,” senior Dylan Brown said. “We always start out with two of the best teams in the state every year (Plano West and Allen), so I’m used to it now. We’re all used to playing tough teams. It’s nothing new.”

Legacy head tennis coach Charlie Sizemore prides himself on building a tough schedule for moments like this.

“I always put together a tough schedule for us, so we will be ready for the playoffs,” Sizemore said. “Also, our district is highly competitive, so getting out of a district is an accomplishment in itself. So when we get to this point, I know we are ready for anything.”

Legacy lost to Allen this season, which is still in the playoffs. The Red Raiders also defeated Longview and Corsicana, both of which are still playing.

In the postseason, Legacy took 10-1 wins over North Garland and Mansfield Lake Ridge in the first two rounds. On Tuesday, facing a tough Wylie team, Legacy took a 10-0 victory thanks to a 7-0 start in doubles.

If Legacy can get a lead in doubles on Thursday and put some pressure on The Woodlands, Sizemore said he thinks that would be a good starting point.

“That’s always our goal in doubles is to be up at least 4-3,” Sizemore said. “We hang our hat on doubles.”

Legacy is 18-4 this season and success is nothing new to this program that has won six district titles in the past seven seasons and went at least the regional quarterfinals six times in that span, including trips to the regional semifinals in 2020 and now in 2022. But the difference according to those in the program is the closeness of this group.

“We’ve become more of a family this season,” said junior Audrey Deatherage, who played in the Class 6A state tournament in the spring in girls singles.

“We’re pretty close,” Brown said. “We’re all like family.”

“This is probably the closest team I’ve had since I’ve been coaching altogether with the girls and the guys,” Sizemore said.

The winner of Thursday’s match will advance to face either Waco Midway or College Park at 10 a.m. Friday in Mansfield.

Team members for Legacy are Audrey Deatherage, Bridget Gaston, Sara Fry, Sophie Miller, Savannah Allen, Emma Faulks, Sapphire Nunn, Kaylie Cunio, Nathan Kiblinger, Daniel Gaston, Dylan Brown, Michael Collins, Preston Rathbun, Gab Oxler, Michael Rowan and Cullen Bunt.