By Brannon King for the FCT

The Russellville High School tennis teams hosted the 4A-5A Section 8 tournament, and both the boys’ and girls’ teams advanced to state competition in Mobile.

The girls’ team took first place in sectional play for the first time in school history. Katie Burns and Elyse Strickland took first in No. 1 doubles, while Anna Woods and Rebecca Parrish finished second in No. 2 doubles. The No. 3 doubles team of Lariza Garcia-Delgado and Kaydee Holland also finished second in sectional action on the court.

In singles play, No. 1 Woods, No. 2 Burns, No. 3 Parrish and No. 5 Strickland finished in first place. No. 4 Lariza Garcia-Delgado finished second in singles, and No. 6 Kaydee Holland finished third. Julianna Wallace is an alternate and is also a key member of the history-making team.

“We were pretty successful all year,” Russellville head coach Charlotte Dollar said. “We only lost one match in section, and that was to Deshler – we split with them. It was a really successful year for us, especially since we’re mostly ninth graders. We’ve got two upperclassmen, one junior and one senior, and everybody else is a freshman on the girls’ team.”

The RHS boys’ team, which is made up of three seniors, a freshman and three eighth graders, also advanced to state in Mobile with a runner-up finish in sectional play.

Caleb Mayfield took first place in sectionals in No. 1 singles, while he and Charlie Chard are section champs in No. 1 doubles.

“The boys made it to state last year, and a lot graduated, so they really have overachieved this year considering how many players they lost,” Dollar said. “These young guys have really stepped up and helped them.”

The 4A-5A state tournament was scheduled to get underway at the Mobile Tennis Center April 24 and wrapped up April 25. Results of play were not available at press time.