Unbeaten Scots Reclaim State Tennis Title
Highland Park’s motto this season encapsulated its singular goal: Re-State Tradition. It reflected a focus and a determination to bounce back after being shut out of state tennis titles a year ago.
The Scots fulfilled that mission on Thursday by claiming the Class 5A title. They defeated San Antonio Alamo Heights in College Station to cap an undefeated fall season.
It was the 17th team tennis crown overall for the Scots (19-0), who previously beat the Mules in the 2012 final. On Wednesday, HP defeated Grapevine in the semifinals to kick off a state tournament that featured multiple rain delays.
The 10-3 victory began with HP taking six of seven doubles matches, including five in straight sets. Winning girls tandems included Elizabeth Tedford and Logan Lett, Marie Claire Goff and Katherine Petty, and Madison McBride and Devon Turnbull.
On the boys side, the Scots got impressive wins from Matt Wojtaszek and Cole Hausman, along with Ryan Wojtaszek and Jordan Morris. In mixed doubles, Phillip Quinn and Ashlee Newton didn’t even drop a game.
With a huge lead, HP clinched the title with four singles wins — all in straight sets — from the back half of the ladder, including Goff, Hausman, Ryan Wojtaszek, and Conrad Hansen.
In the semifinal match against the Mustangs, the Scots won five doubles matches and used a dominating performance in singles to close out the match.
Hausman and Matt Wojtaszek set the tone with a gutsy three-set win in doubles. Singles winners for HP against Grapevine included Quinn, Hausman, Hansen, Newton, and McBride.
A year ago, HP’s seven-year state championship streak was snapped with a loss in the 6A semifinals in the fall. Then the Scots were denied a crown in any bracket during the spring campaign for the first time since 2001.
Now that HP has regained its spot as the best tennis team in the state — at least in 5A — its players will turn their attention to starting a new streak. Or, more accurately, continuing to re-state tradition.
