The playoff road ended Tuesday afternoon for Tyler Lee team tennis as the No. 25 Red Raiders lost 10-1 to No. 4 The Woodlands in their Class 6A regional quarterfinal held at Nacogdoches High School.
It was only the third loss for Lee tennis (16-3), all of which came against state-ranked opposition.
“I am so proud of this team and all they’ve accomplished,” said Lee coach Charlie Sizemore. “Our best finish in over 20 years! We finished as district champs, are champs and regional finalists.”
Lee breezed through the first two rounds of the playoffs, defeating Conroe Oak Ridge and Richardson by the same 10-1 scoreline.
On Tuesday, it was Lee’s turn to go out by that score.
The Lee girls No. 1 doubles of Claire Fisher and Lilly Deatherage provided the Red Raiders their only point by defeating Avery Hilbig and Kaitlyn Sorge in straight sets, 6-0, 6-4.
The remaining matches also ended in straight sets, all of which went to The Woodlands.
The Highlanders won doubles 6-1, meaning the Red Raiders would have to mount a memorable comeback in the singles to turn it around. The Woodlands achieved the four points with three boys’ singles victories and once girls win.
“We will work hard, and the good thing is our top six players on both boys and girls will be back next fall season,” Sizemore said. “We will regroup the next few weeks and switch gears from team tennis to spring tennis.”