PHOTO BY GABE WOLF Thanks to an unexpected rain shower, Macy McPherson (right) gets a much-needed break from the heat while running laps after tennis workouts concluded on Tuesday. Lampasas tennis coach Ken Peiser is not afraid to push his players to their limits.

Whether it is practicing two hours a day in the sweltering, midday Texas heat or scheduling a brutal series of eight matches over a two-day period, he has confidence that his players can overcome the odds.

It is a good thing, too, because the Badgers travel to Killeen for matches today and tomorrow, where they will be forced to do both.

The Badgers hit the courts early this morning for a match against Shoemaker, followed by an afternoon of tennis against Copperas Cove. Then on Saturday they get to do it all over again against Harker Heights and Killeen Ellison.

With Peiser's entire roster competing in both singles and doubles play, players will notch eight matches on their in less than 48 hours.

"They're going to be tired," Peiser said. "I'm hoping that their wanting to keep their record high will push them to play well in those sixth, seventh and eighth matches."

Players focused primarily on singles matches after last week's performance against Leander when they didn't show enough grit and determination, according to Peiser.

"Sometimes we lack heart and drive [in singles matches]," the coach said. "We need a player to get out there and push themselves and dig down when they're close."

With only six opponents in its district, Lampasas can establish itself as one of the early-season, upper echelon teams with an impressive performance in Killeen.