Memorial out to settle ‘unfinished business’ at state tourney

Memorial has lost in the semifinals or the final of the past six UIL state team tennis tournaments. But the Mustangs haven’t given up.

“Our kids have been successful for a very long time. It’s quite a big deal just to get to state,” said Budd Booth, who has coached Memorial for 12 years. “However, it can be a little frustrating to go and lose to the winners every year. But we will keep going back until we win it all.”

Memorial (19-0) gets another chance at 3 p.m. Wednesday when it plays Plano West (22-2) in the state semifinals at Texas A&M. The victor plays the Dallas Highland Park (23-0)-New Braunfels (212) winner in the finals at 3 p.m. Thursday.

Memorial isn’t the first area team to dominate the region. Katy Taylor reached the state tournament 13 years in a row (1995-2007).

The difference, however, is the end result. Katy Taylor won it all in 1997, 1998 and 2002.

Memorial hasn’t lost a match outside the state tournament in six years.

In 2009, the Mustangs lost to New Braunfels in the semifinals. Then the two met in the finals four years in a row, with each one going to New Braunfels.

Last year, it was Dallas Highland Park. The Scots won 10 of the last 11 Class 4A titles before moving up to the state’s largest classification.

They beat Memorial in the semifinals.

Junior Anthony Huynh said making it to the state tournament undefeated and then losing creates mixed emotions.

“Going to state is really exciting. We get pumped up because we know we have what it takes to win every year that we go, but coming so close and not taking the title for so long is disappointing,” Huynh said. “We have to change what we’ve been doing, because we are tired of losing.”

The team tennis format consists of 19 matches, first in doubles (three girls, three boys and one mixed) and then in singles (six boys and six girls). Each match is worth a point, and the first team to 10 points advances.

Booth said the team is strong and consistent throughout, but if the Mustangs want a different outcome than previous years, they will need to win some key doubles matches early on.

“We need to be up 4-3 or 5-2 going into the singles matches,” Booth said. “The kids have motivation. They’re eager. They played great in regionals, so they have confidence. That’s a big part of it: going in and thinking you can do it.”

Memorial has only one new member in the starting lineup this year, but there are five seniors who have only one more chance to win a title.

“This is only my second year, but our team has been going to state and losing to the winners for a long time,” sophomore Artur Zigman said. “I want to win, not only for my current teammates but for everyone at Memorial who’s tried to win over the years.

“Next year, we will lose our seniors. So this year, we need to come stronger and play harder than ever before. We have unfinished business.”